Raymond C. Decker

Raymond (Ray) Charles Decker, Jr., age 75, of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania passed away at home on Monday, December 16, 2024 with his family, after a long battle with cancer. Ray was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Raymond & Delores Decker.

As the eldest child of eight, Ray was the born leader in his close knit Decker family. He graduated from Father Judge High School, and continued his education at Penn State University, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology. Raymond had a very versatile early career resume, which was always spent enriching the lives of children who were less fortunate or in trouble. He continued his studies in special education and spent his career dedicated to educating the lives of children with special needs and mental illness, until he became the Dean of Students at Shawmont Elementary School, where he retired in 2013.

Throughout his life, Ray enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, listening to and playing music, hiking and being in nature, traveling to historic locations and national parks, visiting the Jersey shore with his children and family, and going on adventures with his five grandchildren.

Ray met his wife, Michele Matovich Decker, through mutual teacher friends at Delta Elementary School, and married in 1979. They started their family in Roxborough, PA in 1981 and moved to King of Prussia, PA in 1988.

Raymond was the devoted and doting father to Matthew Decker and Natalie Mitchell (Matt); loving and dedicated PopPop to Jude (12), Joel (10), Lyla (7), Luke (4), and Adeline (2); eldest brother to Rick (Linda), Gary (Carole), Mike (Trish), Janet (Tom), Steven, Linda, and Tim (Rox); son-in-law to Betty Matovich; brother-in-law to Mitch Matovich and Andrea Gunther; uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

Raymond is predeceased by his parents, Raymond Sr. (2012) and Delores Decker (2020); his wife, Michele Matovich Decker (2016); and his father-in-law, Milan “Mike” Matovich (2003).

Relatives and friends are invited to Ray’s visitation from 9:30-10:30 A.M. on Friday, December 20th with a mass to follow at Mother of Divine Providence Church (333 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406) https://mdpparish.com/

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Raymond’s name may be made to Theatre Horizon (401 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401) https://theatrehorizon.org/ or Sierra Club https://act.sierraclub.org/ , where Raymond routinely donated.