Jay C. Decker

Dr. Jay C. Decker 82, died Monday, July 31, 2017. Jays rich legacy depends on how you knew him: as a loving family man, extraordinary musician and teacher, dear friend, avid tennis player and sports fan or inveterate punster and joke-teller. In truth, he was all of these and so much more. All who knew him will miss him. Jays career spanned nearly 70 years making music in Wichita and beyond. As a renowned cellist and young conductor, Jay founded the Springfield Youth Symphony and the Kansas City Civic Orchestra. He inspired hundreds of students and musicians throughout his tenures at Drury College (Springfield, MO), University of Missouri, Kansas City, and Wichita State University serving as Professor of Music and conductor of the WSU Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. His dedication to teaching and passion for travel took him across the US and Europe with orchestras. He loved conducting Wichita community favorites including the Wichita River Festival Twilight Pops Concerts, Family Holiday Concerts, Young Peoples Concerts, Ballet Wichitas Nutcracker and many others until long after he retired in 1998. He is survived today by his wife of 32 years, Phyllis V. Decker; daughters, Dana Knorr (Patrick), Debbie Gans (Ron); son, Dan Decker (Debbie); stepdaughters, Kim Coe (Kevin) and Kelley Stewart Naron; sister, Kathe Thompson (John); 12 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; many beloved family members and friends too numerous to name. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 30 years, Alice (Graber) Decker, and his parents, Harold and Peg Decker. A celebration of Jays life will be held at 4:00 pm, Friday, August 18, 2017 at University Congregational Church in Wichita. Jay will also be honored at the (Wichita) Walk to Defeat ALS by his team of "JayWalkers" on September 23rd, and at the Wichita Symphony Orchestras October 28-29 Classics Season concert though the generosity of the Lattner Foundation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jay C. Decker Endowed Scholarship for String Students Memorial, c/o WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0002 or Wichita Symphony Orchestra, 225 W Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.