Terus J. Dekker

Nampa, Idaho - Terus J. "Ted" Dekker, 82, longtime businessman and resident of Pocatello and Aberdeen, passed away Friday, November, 9, 2012 at the Nampa Care Center. He was born October 25, 1930 in Sunnyside, Washington, the son of Terus and Callie Church Dekker. He attended and graduated from White Swan High School.

In 1947, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps and while stationed at the Naval Ordinance Plant in Pocatello he met Phyllis Ann Richmond. They fell in love and were married on September 16, 1950, in Pocatello, Idaho, an union that would last 52 years until he lost his angel on November 25, 2002.

After an honorable and memorable 4 years as a Marine, Ted and Phyllis moved back to the family farm in Yakima, Washington for a short period and then decided to make Pocatello their home. Ted worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and J.R. Simplot Company. He and Phyllis also owned and operated Sunshine and Poleline laundries for 29 years

Ted loved the outdoors and was an excellent marksman and ballistics specialist. Many friends and family members have nursed sore shoulders after a shoot off with Ted. His interest and love of the outdoors led him to become one of the first scuba divers in Idaho. Ted and Phyllis opened the Pocatello Dive Shop in 1968. Ted taught hundreds of students at Idaho State University. He was involved in numerous underwater construction projects including the American Falls Dam. Ted was also able to travel and dive in many sites in the Pacific and Caribbean. He was the founder of the Idaho Spud Lungs Scuba Club. He was a life long member of the Central Christian Church.

Survivors include: a son, Larry Terus (Cheri Lynn) Dekker, Jerome, Idaho; three daughters, Virginia Ann (Phillip) Hacking, Caldwell, Idaho; Amy Sue (Russell) Sidell, Aberdeen, Idaho; Judy Marie (Danny) Hanks, Nampa, Idaho; a sister, Doris Worth, Kingman, Arizona; a brother, Tom Dekker, Yakima, Washington; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, parents and brother Earl.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Christian Church (918 E. Center) with Rev. Roger Bray, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave..