David Sturgis Decker – dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away in his sleep, surrounded by his family at his home in Eagle Mountain, Utah on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

David was the first of five children born to Victor Donald Decker and Mary Ellen (Mamer) Decker on October 18, 1930, in Springfield, Missouri. His school years were in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and he graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1949.

One way to succinctly describe David Decker is to say he is a family man. He was 20 years old when his father died, and being the eldest son, he suddenly took on many family responsibilities to assist his widowed mother and four younger siblings, the youngest being only 6 years old at the time of their father's passing. He went to work to help with expenses, forgoing his personal goals of finishing college but did manage to complete two years at San Luis Obispo Community College in California.

He married the love of his life, Judith May (King) Decker in May of 1966. Their marriage was sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles, California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dave loved all things mechanical, and his career was in the aerospace industry where he earned the respect of his superiors with his work ethic; of his peers by his integrity; and of his subordinates by his firm but kind style of managing. He began his career path with Bendix Corp but retired from Litton Industries after more than three decades, moving from technical writer to management and was an officer in the industry Management Club during his senior years.

There are men who are called fathers because they have a child and then there are men who are called dads because they raise children to be beautiful adults. David was a devoted dad who raised seven children in a blended family. He has 24 grandchildren and at the time of his passing he had 18 great-grandchildren.

His passion in life was his children and family. His love of sports (all kinds) from bowling to baseball was the cement of his blended family, bringing all together with love and laughter. His love of automobiles from his youth spilled over to boating in his adult years and the family spent countless summers at Lake Powell. He taught his children perseverance and determination and that to reach your goals in life you make a plan, and you keep working at it. Born with only one arm, this counsel was taught to his children over and over again by his example as he mastered many achievements throughout his life, including slalom waterskiing at the age of 45 using only one hand.
Best described as self-sacrificing, patient and kind, he was loved by all that knew him as he never had self-pity for what life threw at him and he always looked outward to others.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ellen (Mamer) Decker Wolcott and his father Victor Donald Decker. He is survived by his eternal companion, Judith May (King) Decker. His brother and sisters, Victor Donald Decker Jr., Shirley Kay & (Robert) Recknor, Patricia Ruth Henderson and Linda Marie & (Russell) Herrington. His children Christine & (Robert) Gosney, Genine & (David) Robbins, Daniel Decker, Pamela Decker Fox, Scott & (Rachel) Decker, Janet & (Toby) Winchester and Susan & (Jonathan) Stenzel, along with his 24 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

David's services will be held at the Hidden Canyon Ward Chapel of the Eagle Mountain Utah Stake located at 2977 East Saddle Rock Rd., Eagle Mountain, UT 84005 at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023. A viewing will be held prior to the service beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the same location.  Interment will follow in the Pony Express Memorial Cemetery in Eagle Mountain.