Obituaries

Edward (Ted) J. Decker Jr., of Taylor, died Wednesday at home, after a prolonged illness. Born in Scranton on October 16, 1948, he was the son of the late Edward and Ruth Lynch Decker. Ted was the second child of Edward and Ruth. His sister Ann and brothers William and Herbert were not only his siblings but also his best friends.
Ted graduated from Taylor-Moosic Joint High School in 1966 and served in the United States Army as an intelligence officer. He served his country in active duty in the Vietnam War and sacrificially served others in this capacity until his honorable discharge in 1974. Following his military career, Ted enjoyed employment at Thompson Consumer Electronics and then as a corrections officer for the Pennsylvania State Correctional Facility at Waymart, prior to his 2015 retirement.
Ted’s greatest accomplishments and joys were his two children Edward J. Decker III and Robin L. Decker. To his daughter Ted was Mr. Mom. He would make the best ponytails and always be there for every dance recital, basketball game, or gymnastics event. Robin was truly daddy’s little girl no matter her age. His joy only expanded when his grandchildren Madison, Morgan, Sydney and Blake Decker were born. Ted was a family man who taught his children and grandchildren the importance of unconditional love with hugs and kisses. A loved one would never leave his presence without hearing the words, “I love you” and parting ways with a bear hug and a big kiss. Ted never forgot a birthday, and agonized over finding the best cards with the perfect sentiments for his loved ones. He took careful time to underline special words of emphasis and to seal each card with a gold sticker and write the loved one’s name and their special date in all capital letters on the front of each card and enclosed each card in the envelope with a signature gold seal.
Ted loved hunting and fishing and shared many special outdoor memories with his children and friends. His favorite sports team was whatever team his son Eddie and grandchildren played on. He never missed a game, and even pushed through his difficult illness to watch his grandson Blake win a district title in baseball last summer.
He is survived by his children Edward Decker and wife Stephanie, Scranton and their children Madison, Morgan, Sydney and Blake Decker, and a daughter Robin L. Decker and partner Anthony Kobesky, Taylor, brothers William and wife Arleen, Taylor, Pa and brother Herbert and wife Janice, Covington Township, Pa and nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Along with his mother and father, Ted was also preceded in death by his sister Ann, an infant niece Ashley Decker and his aunts Henrietta, Mary, Martha and Lillian who were all like second mothers to him.
Arrangements, under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 N. Main Street in Old Forge, are private at Ted’s request. Please visit the funeral home’s website to leave an online condolence.
To celebrate Ted’s life, please hug and kiss your loved ones every chance you get and never forget the value of the written word in a special card.