James (Jim) Rial Decker was born Sept. 4, 1946, in Denver, Colo., to his parents, James Edward and Beverly (Schwab) Decker. He died March 3, 2022 at Mary Lanning Hospital, Hastings, surrounded by his family.

Jim's parents were divorced when he was very young with Jim living with his mother in Denver during the school year and spending the summers with his dad. The courts let him decide where he wanted to live when he was 12, and he chose his dad. He never saw his mother again.

Jim attended Burr Oak Grade School and High School and graduated from Mankato High School in May 1965. He attende...