James Weston Decker was born October 2, 1950 in Salt Lake City to Webster W Decker and Moreho Allred Decker. He died January 21, 2016 in West Valley.
He went to Stewart School, played football for East High, and served on the ski patrol at several resorts. He attended Weber State College and the University of Utah. Weston Married Teresa Foy in 1975. They had Zach and Andy Decker, two sons who have grown into fine young men. Weston and Teresa later divorced. Weston bought and rented residential properties. He was skilled at buying and selling, negotiating rents and keeping properties rented. He had a talent for living frugally, and remained proudly independent throughout his life. He donated his body to the University of Utah Medical School.
Weston is survived by Teresa, his two sons, two brothers and two sisters. His parents have died.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, in the Relief Society Room of the Granger Stake, 2850 West 3835 South West Valley City.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, 2016
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Dan Brown
I grew up with Weston. I remember he ran for a student government office at the U and he sat outside the Union building with a mule as a prop. Very clever. He always sought me out at the reunions to find out what I was doing. I am sorry to here of his passing.
Jon Holbrook
I wasn't a close friend of James Decker, but we were friendly acquaintances. I am deeply saddened when any of our fellow classmates pass away. When I attended the University of Utah, I took some math classes from his father, Webster Decker.
Mark Mecham
I'm with Dan and Jon. As someone new to Bryant Junior High School in Fall 1965 and eventually East High in Fall 1966, Wes always made be feel welcome. A presence physically, Wes was always friendly to everyone. He will be missed but remembered.
Jim McCormick
I remember Wes from our time at Stuart Jr. High and then later from East. There was an East High reunion where he walked up to me and said something like 'I thought you were dead.' apparently I was prematurely listed in the in memorium pages of some class record. He was always kind and obviously frank in expressing himself. I will miss him.
Kate Whitney (Neilson)
I know James as 'Weston' Decker. He and I went to Stewart School Elementary @ the University of Utah campas. I remember he was a wonderful artist and very kind. I would enjoy drawing with him and talking. There was also another young man that hung with us - but for the life of me I can't remember his name. I only remember he was taller than the rest of us.
Weston, you were a good person and I am grateful for the kindness you showed me when I was around you and your friend. I will never forget this.
May the Lord comfort your family and support them through the healing process of your passing.
An old classmate, Katy Whitney (Nielson)
John Adamson
I attended Weston’s funeral service and had the good fortune to sit between fellow classmates and neighborhoodies Barbara Bennion Cockayne and Pam Wooten Newman. We all grew up with Wes and went to school together at Stewart from the first grade on. It was nice to sit between those beautiful madrigal voices singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”, and then listen to the Decker family remember their brother, dad and uncle with great affection and humor. He was an eccentric fellow and that was highlighted in the remarks. His brother Rod (the wonderful KUTV political reporter) declared that Weston wasn’t just a lawyer’s client, but a whole career as he became a modern-day David tilting at the Goliath of giant institutions like utility companies, UTA , IRS; you name it. He was a political activist whose sole platform plank was sticking up for the little guy.
He made a living buying, selling and managing properties and apparently was good at it. He was married for a time and that union produced two strapping, handsome boys to whom Weston left property and means. It was nice to meet them and see his reflection in the humble eloquence that denotes all recently returned missionaries.
Rod said that when he, Rod, and his wife couldn’t afford to fly to their own daughter’s wedding in Pennsylvania, Weston lent them the money. Unsaid, but for sure; Weston collected on the loan. But there you have him: always frugal (okay: super cheap) but generous to a fault at the same time.
Those of us who grew up with him get to remember a shy and often awkward boy with a big smile and a bigger heart who would share what little he had at the drop of a hat and who was always willing to lend a hand to any endeavor.
Finally, I think I should mention that other than me, he was perhaps the worst poker player ever to pick up a hand. He just never got the cards. But he played them the best he could and that is just kind of Weston in a nutshell.
He struggled in his last years when he had essentially reverted to his family cowboy roots and lived a lonely and rugged life. But he leaves a legacy of love, sacrifice and service to his friends, family and community. May he rest in peace.
Kim Rowland
Thank you John for the report on Weston's funeral. I wish I had been able to attend. I have good memories of Weston both at Stewart and East. He and I only crossed paths for a few short years but they were good years. We was always fun to be around. Thanks again for giving those of us that we're unable to attend he funeral service a better glimpse of his life,family and accomplishments.
Sherman Jensen
Weston impacted my life for the better on graduation night in the gravel pits. He decked me after I said something mean and inconsiderate, inspired by a beer or two. I think in that moment I became a kinder gentler person. RIP Weston!