TITLE: In memory of Kenneth Lee Decker of Houston.

SUMMARY: In memory of Kenneth Lee Decker of Houston.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the service of others has drawn to a close with the death of Kenneth Lee Decker of Houston on December 13, 2020, at the age of 74; and WHEREAS, Ken Decker was born in Oklahoma City on April 9, 1946, to Willis and Wanda Decker, and he grew up with two sisters, Donna and Kay; after graduating from S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, he attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C.; in August 1970, he married Lorraine Ross in Austin, and the couple later moved to Bologna, Italy, where Mr. Decker studied at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; and WHEREAS, Returning to Austin, Mr. Decker worked as international trade director for the Texas Department of Agriculture while also attending the Graduate School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin; in 1976, he joined Arthur Andersen LLP, in Houston, where he rose to tax manager, and with the encouragement of his wife, he went on to launch his own international tax practice, Decker Financial, conducting financial workshops and personal counseling sessions with thousands of families around the world; and WHEREAS, In the aftermath of 9/11, Mr. and Mrs. Decker founded two nonprofits, Financial Mentors of America and Skills For Living, and each summer, Mr. Decker organized and emceed the Game of Real Life in Houston, inspiring underserved high school students to strive for a brighter future; as president of Decker & Associates, he published Real Life Financial Mathematics and worked with more than 50 Texas school districts to train teachers in this critical-thinking curriculum; he was active in many local, state, and national professional organizations, and he was also a lifelong member of the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations; and WHEREAS, Mr. Decker was the proud and loving father of two children, Caryn and Cameron, and having started his own career in the public sector, he encouraged them to follow their dreams and shape the world for the better as leaders in the City of San Diego and Harris County governments, respectively; he delighted in the time he spent traveling to the Texas Hill Country, Argentina, and the Cayman Islands, and he enjoyed reading, listening to music, and watching British mystery shows on television; and WHEREAS, Although he is deeply missed, Ken Decker leaves behind a legacy of generosity, wit, and compassion that will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Kenneth Lee Decker and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Kenneth Lee Decker. Wu Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 91 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 10, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House