Charles Decker
Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 7, 2021
Charles “Charlie” Decker, 87, of Indianapolis, passed
away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. He was born July 5, 1933 to Charles and Charlotte (Matthews) Decker in Waymart, Penn. “Charlie” was a three sport star in basketball, baseball and soccer for Waymart High School. He led his
team to two Wayne County Conference Basketball Championships is junior and senior year going 16-0. He averaged 24.8 points per game his senior year and graduated as the all time leading scorer in Wayne County history with 1634 points. He also had the
single game record of 45 points versus Northern Wayne High School. In baseball, Charlie was a star pitcher throwing two no-hitters and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Charlie played locally at Keystone Junior
College and the Tri-County League. He averaged 39.9 points per game and had a high game of 58 both league records. He also scored 125 points in a three game series and that was also a record. Charlie was inducted into the Wayne County Hall of Fame in
1995.
Charlie then served his country in the U.S. Army for two years at Ft. Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the Third Army Infantry Division. Charlie played for the base basketball teams at Ft Benning and Ft. Rucker, earning all-post
selections on both teams. He separated from the Army with an Honorable Discharge.
Charlie then took his talents to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. He was a member of the NAIA National Championship basketball team in 1956. He
earned All Gulf State Conference two years as a starting guard. In baseball, Charlie was a two time All Gulf State Conference pick and team Most Valuable Player. He was also named the Gulf State Player of the Year in 1956. He once threw both games of
a doubleheader winning both! Charlie was inducted into the McNeese State Hall of Fame in 1984.
Charlie continued his basketball career playing amateur basketball for the McDonald Scots in Lake Charles and the Akron Goodyears of the
National Industrial Basketball League. He would play in eight National Championships earning two titles with Goodyear.
Charlie was an avid Indiana University fan and excellent golfer. He played until the age of 85. At the pinnacle of his
golf career, he established a low handicap of two. He was also an avid Indianapolis Colts fan and was a season ticketholder for 14 years.
Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Cecilia Decker. He is survived by
his five children, David (Maria) Decker, Paul Decker, Dana (Michael) Cavosie, Jennifer (Jason) Hedge and Katherine Decker. He also had 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Our father was a kind, gentle, and humble man. He was
“loved by many and will be missed by all.”
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 5 p.m. until the time of service at 7 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel 5377 East Washington Street. www.shirleybrothers.com.
