Allen E. "Al" Decker

Allen E. “Al” Decker, 76, left port on his final voyage and returning to the sea which he dearly loved on Sunday, November 1, 2015. A vigil will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. A funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. As per Al’s request, his ashes will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Al was born in Great Falls to Ray and Myrtle Decker on August 8, 1939. At an early age the family moved to Dutton where he was raised and educated. He worked for his Dad and numerous farmers in the area. This is where he started bowling under the tutelage of his Dad and Grandpa Matt. A highlight in Al’s life was bowling a 258 at the National Bowling Championship in Las Vegas. In 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 21 years of dedicated service, retiring in 1982. Most of his military stations were with the Pacific Fleet, serving aboard the sub tenders USS Proteus (Guam), USS Nerius (Hawaii) and the USS Constellation in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. He was an instructor at the Great Lakes Training Center and one of his stateside assignments was at Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida, where he was the manager of the base’s bowling center allowing him to further refine his bowling skills. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Great Falls. His retirement years were fulfilling until his failing health curtailed his activities. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1493, Great Falls Bowling Association, and Dutton American Legion (every year he won one of their $100 raffles, the lucky bum.) He served as Grand Knight of Council 1493 July 1989 through June 30, 1990. For many years he was the caretaker of the K of C Hall, either preparing for the various functions he booked or cooking and serving at the monthly breakfasts and fish fries, as well as all the other Knights of Columbus projects. If he wasn’t at the hall you could find him bowling two or three times a week on the many leagues he belonged to during the winter or on the links at Emerald Green in the summer. When you did find him at home he was enjoying either a football or baseball game, depending on the season, but never basketball. Al is survived by his brother and his wife, Ray and Bernadette of Olympia, WA; his sister Rose of Lincoln; six nephews and nieces; and nine great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his fraternal and maternal grandparents; and his brother-in-law Jim Frisbee. Any donations in Al’s memory are requested to be made to Peace Hospice, PO Box 7008, Great Falls MT 59406-7008, or the Knights of Columbus Council 1493, 4005 Hanging Tree Rd, Great Falls MT 59405.