Henry Cornelius Decker

Henry "Hank" Cornelius Decker, Jr. passed away on Saturday February 5, 2022. He was born on December 14, 1938 in the old Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. Hank attended Alai Davis Elementary School, John Philip Sousa Junior High School, Bladensburg Junior High School, and Suitland High School. He married his first wife Nancy Shipley in 1955, and together they had their son James Robert and daughter Deborah Sue before their divorce. Hank served in the United States Army, took basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He served at Fort Hood, Texas 1st of the 81st Armor Division. He also worked at the Evening Star Newspaper, Comprint, Megenti Mailing, Kiplinger until his retirement in 1966. He also crewed for Patrick Michaels on a Hot Air Balloon, which was one of his favorite hobbies. He had his own hot air balloon that he would fly every chance he had for 8 years. Hank went on to marry his wife Margie Foster Martin in 1998 and together they moved to Lexington, North Carolina. Hank was a member of the American Legion Post 8 in Lexington, NC. He served as Post 8 2nd Vice Commander, American Legion District 15 Vice Commander for 1 year and Commander for 3 years. Hank was a member of post 13 AMVETS. He also served as Davidson County Veterans Council Commander for 2 years and was an original member of the Davidson County Veterans Honor Guard for over 6 years. Hank is survived by his wife Margie, his son James Robert Decker, his daughter Deborah Sue (Ronnie) Morrow, his stepchildren Jerri Brooks, Lita Rollins, Patty Towne, Donna York, Kena Milhoff, Ken Martin, Christine Wall and their spouses, 19 Grandchildren and 28 Great-Grandchildren, plus several family and friends who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his father Henry Cornelius Decker, Sr. and his mother Catherine Elizabeth Orrison Arneson.