This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: DECKER, WHITE, VANDERBERG, KOENIG, IMHOFF Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/QFB.2ACE/1643 Message Board Post: DECKER, Thomas W. "Tom" Age 54 Of Hickory Corners Died Saturday, July 30, 2005, at Gull Lake where he resided. Tom was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 18, 1950. He is survived by his sister, Mary White (Joe), his brother Dave Decker (Mary Ellen), and his brother Joe Decker (Nancy). He is also survived by his dearest friends, Ann and Don Parfet. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Jean Vanderberg, his father, Ben Decker, and by a brother and sister, Flip and Margie Decker. Tom was much loved by his four nieces and nephews, Amy Koenig, John Decker, Brian White, and Audrey Imhoff. Tom grew up in Kalamazoo and attended University High School. He graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Arizona and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Business School. Tom worked with his brother, Dave, to build a successful agribusiness company, Far-Mor Flavors. He believed in developing himself and helped others develop themselves, throug! h his work with ISA in Chicago. He enjoyed life. He also reached out to help others in many ways, including serving Thanksgiving dinners in soup kitchens and working in the Desert AIDS project in Palm Springs, California. Tom had an extraordinary collection of close friends he made and kept throughout his life. His love for them was fully reciprocated, never more so than during his final months. Many have expressed the great and positive difference that Tom made in their lives through his friendship, caring and support. Tom was an extremely special person. He is remembered by all for his devotion to his friends, his thoughtfulness, his wonderful sense of humor, his great flair and sense of fashion, his hats, and his wonderful companion dogs, Toto and Maude. A reception for friends and family will be held at 4911 Ridgewood Drive, Hickory Corners, Michigan at Gull Lake, on Wednesday August 3, 2005 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be a memorial service to remember Tom and cel! ebrate his life immediately following the reception at 11000 Ridgewood Drive, Hickory Corners at Gull Lake. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, 301 W. Cedar St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5106 in memory of Tom. Arrangements by FARLEY-ESTES & DOWDLE RICHLAND CHAPEL 9170 East "D" Ave. (M-89) Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 8/1/2005. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)