St, George, Utah - Andrew Dean Decker, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, died on August 19, 2022 in St. George Utah. He was born on November 14, 1940, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Dean Purcell Decker and Lexie Heppler Decker.

Andy was the youngest of five children. His siblings: Lexie Ann, Zoe and Jim, all spoiled him.  He felt like he had an ideal childhood in Grand Junction.  He was surrounded with many good friends. Together they spent lots of time outdoors fishing and hunting for deer, pheasants, and ducks. During his high school years, he spent his summers at Book Cliff Country Club mowing greens. He mowed ten greens, six days a week behind a push mower. He developed a great tan and a lifelong love for the game of golf.

Andy served in The Eastern States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1961-1963. After his mission, Andy attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in agronomy. The day he graduated he received his draft notice for Vietnam where he served as a Lieutenant in the Army. He would tell you he spent 2 years, 9 months, and 11 days in the army.

Andy was a 32-year-old confirmed bachelor playing lots of golf when he met Penny, and everything changed. A year later on December 14, 1973, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  In the following years they added four children to their family: Ryan, Emilie, Taz, and finally after a ten-year pause, Ali.

In 1984 the Decker family relocated from West Jordan to St. George Utah. Year-round golf may have influenced that decision. Shortly after, Andy bought Dixie Trophy, a business he ran for 28 years. He employed all the kids there at one time or another. They lovingly referred to the back assembly room as the dungeon.

Andy and Penny's first mission together was in the Addiction Recovery Program. Their favorite assignment was serving at Purgatory Correctional Facility. They joked about spending their Friday night dates in Purgatory. Later they served at Temple Square in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission. While there they made many lifelong friends and experienced miracles with those on both sides of the veil. Shortly after beginning their mission Andy was diagnosed with Parkinson's.  The diagnosis was later changed to Multi Systems Atrophy. After returning to St George, Andy was instrumental in organizing the Rock Steady Boxing Program. This program helps those with Parkinson's fight back and slow the progression of the disease.

Andy's greatest loves included his family, serving God and others, golf, and BYU. Andy was known for his big heart, strength of character, and gentle nature. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother. He is survived by his wife Penny; sister, Zoe; children: Ryan Decker, Emilie (Brian) Ralph, Taz (Katie) Decker, Ali Decker (Ryan Froelich); eight grandchildren: Tyler, Dax, Hadley, Lia, Presley, Jovi, Penelope, William, and one on the way.

We would like to thank Rocky Mountain Hospice for over two years of loving care. We have grown to love them like family.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Bloomington 4th Ward Chapel, 3381 Mulberry Drive, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Thursday, evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. St. George, Utah, and before the funeral at the Mulberry Chapel from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Internment with Military Honors, will be held at Tonaquint Cemetery,  1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

For those unable to attend services, live streaming webcast is available at:

https://youtu.be/ERHvRxTFjsY

Andrew Dean Decker Funeral Service Program