Proverbs 20:7
It is with “sorrow but always rejoicing” that we announce the passing of Brian Curtis Decker to his heavenly reward. He is now “absent from the body but present with the Lord”. Hallelujah he is home!
Brian was born to Clifford J and Marjorie R Decker on August 12th, 1957 in Pittsburg, PA. He joined a family with two older brothers, Paul and Cliff, who were ready and willing to toughen him up for life’s journey.
That journey took the family from Pittsburg, PA to Morgantown, WV to Stony Brook, NY to Gainesville, FL. It was in Gainesville at Buchholz High School that, unbeknownst to Brian, he met his future wife and the love of his life, Kathy Mahan.
The two graduated from BHS in 1975 and attended the University of Florida where Brian got a BA degree in Microbiology. After a five year courtship, Brian and Kathy married in 1980 and Brian started dental school at UF. Marriage, dental school, two babies later (Stephen Parker born in 1982 and Christine Lee born in 1986) the little family moved to St. Petersburg, FL where Brian matured his work in crown and bridge at the dental practice of Peter Dawson, DDS.
In 1987 the family moved back to Gainesville where Brian joined the dental practice of Hugh Avant, DDS. Two more children (Marjorie Lorraine born in 1988 and Elizabeth Ann in 1991), thirty-six years of dental procedures, UF’s College of Dentistry faculty, countless Sundays of singing at First Presbyterian Church, mission trips to Nicaragua, chaperoning at Montreat, soccer games, dance recitals, swim and gymnastic meets- this gentle giant and avid Gator fan finally retired to St. Augustine Beach, FL in 2021.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia led him down a path we weren’t expecting but it’s a wonderful life and God is good.
Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Marjorie Decker. He leaves behind his loving wife of forty-three years, Kathy; his children, Stephen, Chrissy (Matt Roland), Marjie (Brian Hundley), and Beth (Derrick Hardin); his grandchildren, Charlotte and Madison Roland, and Decker Hardin; his brothers, Paul (Susan) and Cliff (Pam); and many loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The celebration of life service will be held on June 3rd, 2023 at 11AM at Crescent Beach Baptist Church 885 FL-206, St. Augustine, FL 32086.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the REBLOOM Center, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Parkinson's disease through free exercise, education and support. Donations can be made at www.rebloomcenter.org OR https://account.venmo.com/u/rebloomcenter.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.craigflaglerpalms.com for the Decker family.
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