Travis Lee Decker

Travis Lee Decker, 16, of Paragould died March 7,2015, in a tragic accident. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8pm Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 the afternoon of Wednesday, March 11 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Beech Grove. Christian Burial to follow at Cardwell Cemetery. Travis was born October 28, 1998, in Paragould, Arkansas, to Cliff and Naomi Decker. He attended Paragould High School where he was on the soccer team and a member of FFA. He was involved in Boy Scouts and played baseball in Paragould Youth Baseball League. Travis accepted the Lord as his savior, was baptized in 2013 and was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church Youth Group. He volunteered in the cleanup after the Vilonia Tornado in 2014, helping to staff the church that served as a shelter for the misplaced residents. He also volunteered at Mission Outreach in Paragould for two summers, serving food and playing with the resident children. Travis had many hobbies, all of which had to do with being outdoors: hunting, fishing, 4-wheelin' and muddin', but above all, fishing and duck hunting were his favorites. Travis didn’t just say he liked to hunt and fish, he did it every chance he got. He was a great outdoorsman and had a lot of great days on the river with his dad and friends. He loved the beach with his many cousins. He traveled to Florida and the Texas Gulf coast. He flew to Alaska and fished the World Famous Kenai River and fell in love with it immediately. That was Travis, living the life he wanted and enjoying every minute. If you asked Travis to do anything even remotely close to fun the only answer you would get is YES. He wasn’t afraid to try anything new, and if he was, he would never admit to it. His eyes would get wide with anticipation of what the next day might hold. He was a kind, gentle soul wrapped up in a whirlwind. He was a little brother and a great big brother. He was fiercely protective of his little sister, Sara, as she battled Leukemia over the last 13 months at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Everyone that met Travis was touched in some way. You couldn’t help but smile when you were around him. He had a way of making you laugh. Laughing with him or at him, it didn’t matter to Travis. He had a way about him that just captivated you immediately. “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching!” Author unknown Travis, your life was definitely worth watching! The last few days have been tough and full of memories that each of us shared with you. Although some of the pain of your passing will fade with time, the memories you left will burn bright in our minds. If your family and friends ever ask the question, “Are we living our lives to the fullest?”, all we have to do is look to the example you set. We will never fear to live because you showed us the way. God gave us 16 full, but short, years with you, and we are all thankful for every minute of it. We promise not to focus on how you died but rather on the way you lived! Until we meet again, may the ducks always fly, the fish always bite and the 10 point bucks always cross your path. Fly high son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend. Travis Decker is survived by his parents, Clifford and Naomi Decker of Paragould; two big sisters, Leslie and Chelsea; little sister, Sara; cousin, Sadie Osborne; grandmother, Francis Holcomb; grandmother, Linda Osborne; grandparents, Danny and Judy Davis; 8 uncles; 7 aunts; 34 cousins; and many more relatives and friends. Travis was preceded in death by grandfathers, Tim Decker and Roger Osborne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sara Decker treatment account at Centennial Bank. C/O Naomi Decker/Linda Osborne.