James Decker

James W. Decker passed away in Billings on January 8, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. Jim was born in Glasgow, Montana, on March 18, 1940, to Ben and Martha Decker. He grew up in Frazer and graduated in 1958 and later served in the Army National Guard. He married Ellen (Dee) Crants in Wolf Point in 1963 and they were blessed with three beautiful children, Susan, Tracey and Craig. Work took Jim and his family to Wolf Point, Glasgow, Chinook and Whitefish before coming to Billings in 1974. He began commercial beekeeping with apiaries in Huntley and Bridger, combining them into one shop near Laurel, Beartooth Apiaries, in 1988. He loved beekeeping and developed many friendships over the years with his employees, local landowners and fellow beekeepers in Montana and California. He enjoyed giving presentations at his children's schools, using an observation hive at Show and Tell. He reluctantly retired for health reasons in 2003. Jim also had a fun side and liked to joke around. He loved Montana and being outdoors, hunting, camping and boating. He had a spot-on Jack Nicholson impression (“He-e-e-re's Johnny!” from The Shining, brought to life in our kitchen). No one stayed a stranger for long around Jim, but instead of talking, he often preferred listening, saying that he learned more that way. When diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1996 his comment was, "Well, it's not what I would have wanted, but it's what I've got." He handled his 21 years of PD with patience and dignity. Jim & Dee were active in the Parkinson's Support Group in Billings for many years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard and nephew Evin Hertsgaard. He is survived by his wife Dee, daughters Susan (Dean Peterson) and Tracey (Andy Mast) all of Littleton, Colorado, and son Craig, of Billings; his sisters: Gerri (Cliff Wrobetz) of Belgrade, Montana, and Jeannie (Tom Hertsgaard) of Hemet, California; grandchildren Palmer and Delaney Peterson of Littleton, Devon Decker and Jared Eves of Billings; and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by so many. Join us for a celebration of Jim's life at Peace Lutheran Church in Billings on Sat. June 24 at 11:00.