Randall Randy Dekker

Randall (Randy) J. Dekker MSW was born in Traverse City, Michigan on February 5, 1940 to Harold and Mae Dekker. After graduating from high school at Grand Haven, Ml in 1958, he earned an M.S. degree at Western State University of Michigan in 1965 and an M.S.W. degree at Florida State University in 1967. He went home to his Lord and Maker on April 21, 2018 at his home surrounded by his wife and good friends after a valiant one-year fight with a rare lymphoma. Randy's professional life was as a clinical social worker on staff at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS for 13 years, then he moved to Oklahoma City in 1981 to begin private practice, retiring in 2009. He served on the Mental Health Board of OKC, was active in the United Methodist Church of the Servant, serving with Habitat for Humanity and the Rebuilding Together program, tutored six years with the Whiz Kids program of OKC, went on a mission trip to repair and rebuild the Stratford Methodist Church near Capetown, South Africa, and generously shared his knowledge and abilities in many areas of interest. Randy was a remarkable man, very creative and a do-it-yourself person with varied interests, chief of which was his love for antique cars. His passion was driving and touring with his beloved antique cars through memberships and participation in the Vintage Motor Car Club of America, Horseless Carriage Club of America, the Central Oklahoma Corvair Association and the Buick Club of America. He cherished his teenage summers on his grandparents' farm in Michigan and felt blessed to own, improve and live his final three decades on 20 acres near Edmond. A lover and great respecter of antiques, he took pride in restoring them to their original condition, whether it was cars, phonographs, clocks, furniture, farm equipment, et c. He was also gifted in photography, stained glass and intarsia wood creations. Randy is survived by his wife, Gayle, sons Bradley {Olivia) and Steven of OKC, grandson Chris of Portland, OR, sister Nance Lee {Gary) Dalman of Walnut Creek, CA and brother Robert {Sandi) Dekker of Guntersville, AL, as well as several nieces and nephews. His parents, aunts, uncles and cousins all predeceased him. Randy loved people and made many friends over the years, who gave him much love and support as he fought cancer. Gratitude is expressed to the ministerial staff and many, many friends at Church of the Servant, Dr. Brian Geister and his staff, and lntegris Hospice and Danessa Gragg for home care.