Roy Melvin Decker, 87, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023. Roy was born on January 3, 1936, in Burlington, Kansas, one of 6 children of the late Arthur Decker and Marie Decker. He was raised in Burlington and was a 1954 graduate of Burlington High School.

In the 8th grade, Roy was named best in the state of Kansas in football and basketball. During high school, he was involved in football, basketball and track.  He also had time for choir and theatre.  His senior year he was named to the ALLSTAR team for his conference and the Kansas ALLSTAR team.  Roy also received numerous athletic scholarships offers from colleges around the country to play football, basketball, and baseball.

Roy chose to attend Emporia State University on an athletic scholarship.  While at Emporia, he was a 3-year varsity letterman in football, and 1-year varsity in basketball.  He was drafted to the NFL by the Baltimore Colts, but had to decline due to a knee injury.  Roy then transferred to Wichita State and completed his bachelor's degree in teaching.

Roy married Marilyn J. Bettega in Wichita, KS. They had four daughters and one son.

Selected as the new Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Englewood, Colorado, Roy moved his family to Englewood and one year later, returned to Kansas to finish a master's degree in Education and Administration at Emporia State.

Roy was selected as Superintendent of Recreation for the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District in Littleton, Colorado.  After 2 ½ years, he was appointed Director of Recreation and Physical Education for Adams County Schools, District 14 in Commerce City, CO.  The programs he put into place during his time in District 14 were some of the most successful recreation programs in Denver and the Metro area at that time.  Some programs are still in existence today.

Roy was selected as Director/Coordinator Physical Education of Recreation for the three-campus Community College of Denver. He was Athletic Director of Red Rocks Campus. He created the National youth sports program operated and funded by the President Council of sports fitness, NCAA and state of Colorado.

Roy left recreation to pursue a career in real estate for a short time, and then returned to education and taught P.E. and recreation classes at Metro State for 3 years as assistant professor. In later years, he loved going out to feed squirrels in his backyard.  They would patiently wait for him to appear with peanuts. He loved working outside, and spending hours on "his lawn."

Roy never knew a stranger. He always was introducing himself and starting a conversation. Even during the time he spent in the rehab facility, he would introduce himself and write down everyone's name that he came into contact with. Roy was always encouraging other residents to excel in the exercise classes he participated in.  The family was told he was a joy to care for.

A loyal fan since the 1960's, Roy loved his Denver Broncos. Having played football from a very young age, his love of the sport and the team were very apparent in his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward, Paul, Bob, and Harvey Dean, and by his son-in-law, Bryan Carlson. Surviving in addition to his wife, Marilyn (Bettega) Decker, are Lori (Decker) Adams and her husband, Mark, Lisa (Decker) Carlson, Lynn Decker, Diann Decker and Patrick McLaughlin, Ron Decker and his wife Jennifer and Joshua Siebers; grandchildren, Raina Adams, Matthew Adams and his wife, Joy, Brianna Adams, Zachary Maruska, Daniel McLaughlin, Brendan McLaughlin, Ashley Decker and Kayla Decker; one sister, Artis Knowles; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation (open casket) will be held at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, KS

on Friday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home on Thursday, October 12, followed by a second visitation from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, October 13 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Burlington. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery at Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burlington High School Alumni Association and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/jonesfuneralhomeburlingtonks