Harold Ray Decker, long-time resident of the Town of Greenville, died April 7, 2023.
Born December 28, 1936, he was the son of Ruth Phyllis Howell and Harold Phillips Decker.
On April 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to Raetta Mae Jolivette at Graham's United
Presbyterian Church, Pine Bush N.Y.
He is survived by sons Bruce R. Decker and his wife Rossana, Robert E. Decker and his wife
Lisa Keller-Decker, his daughter Marjorie R. Burt and her husband Jeffrey, and his daughter-in-
law Kathleen Decker-Samuelian and her husband John Samuelian, five grandchildren; Matthew
R. Decker and his wife Jillian, Robert S. Decker and his wife Jessica, Brian P. Decker II and his
wife Katy, Liane E. Moler and her husband Tyler, and James Patrick Burt. Mr. Decker is also
survived by great-grandchildren Kayli, Dominy, Nolan and Jolie Decker as well as many nieces,
nephews, cousins and close friends. He was predeceased by his wife Raetta, his son, Brian
Phillips Decker, his great-grandson Owen Michael Moler and his sister, Edna M. Raymond.
Mr. Decker was employed by the NYS Dept. of Social Services and at the General Telephone
and Electronics Company in Middletown. Mr. Decker was a member of the Minisink Valley
Central School Board from 1960 to 1965.
Ray's life-long interest in local history was culminated in the authorship of his book "Greenville,
The Land and its People", a geographical history of his hometown, published in 2005. He also
has authored papers on archaeological investigations at prehistoric sites in Orange County. Mr.
Decker was a member of the NYS Archaeological Association and the Orange County
Archaeological Association. He was also a member of the New Jersey Archaeological Society
and the Pennsylvania Society for Archaeology.
Mr. Decker was a member of the Land of Lenape and the Mount Hope Historical Societies. He
was a past President of the Otisville Lions Club and a member of the Middletown BPOE #1097,
having served as Chaplain of that organization.
Mr. Decker enjoyed travel with his beloved wife, Raetta. Together they visited the American
Southwest, Hawaii and Alaska. Overseas travel took them to the jungle of Costa Rica and to
ancient Greece. Visiting the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, while cruising the Baltic Sea
was a lifelong ambition fulfilled.
Most recently, Ray moved to Ocala, FL where he continued to enjoy archaeology and assisted on
several digs. He also loved hosting Euchre games in his home surrounded by friends.
The family will hold a memorial on June 30, 2023 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Middletown Elks
Lodge, 48 Prospect St., Middletown, NY 10940.
The staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Decker family.