Former Bel Air Mayor James M. Decker Dies At 90

BEL AIR, MD — A veteran and long-time Bel Air businessman who held many positions within the community — from Santa Claus to mayor — has died. James M. Decker, 90, died on Dec. 21, according to his obituary, and his funeral service will be held on Friday.

In 1981 he opened Decker’s Wines & Spirits at the former B.D. Tucker International Harvester store at 401 Baltimore Pike in Bel Air. The business closed in 2011; it was under new operators at that point.

Decker served on the Bel Air Planning Commission and the Zoning Appeals Board before becoming a Bel Air town commissioner, the Baltimore Sun reports. He was given the honorary title of mayor, and served from 2002 to 2003.

“My father believed in giving back and was all about community service,” his son, Mark, told the Sun. “One of his earliest projects was having street signs installed on redwood posts in Homestead Village. He also donned a Santa Claus suit and rode on a Bel Air volunteer fire engine each Christmas.”

Here is Decker's obituary, courtesy of McComas Family Funeral Homes:

Born in Catonsville, MD, he was the son of Henry and Helen (nee McCubbin) Decker. Mr. Decker was married to the late Patricia Wright Decker for 60 years. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Jim often shared stories of his time in the military and Merchant Marines. Mr. Decker had a strong desire to serve his community through his affiliation with The Homestead Village Association, The Town of Bel Air and St Margaret’s Church.

He enjoyed his time serving as a Bel Air Town Commissioner and Mayor. Jim also served for many years on the Town of Bel Air’s Zoning Appeals Board and Planning Commission. Jim was the former owner of Decker’s Wines & Spirits, along with his son, Mark.

Decker is survived by his son, Mark and wife Donna, daughter, Sharon Decker Dircks and husband George; five grandchildren, M. Stephen Decker, Jr., and wife Ashley, Natalie Decker and Fiancé Michael Hinder, Paul Dircks and wife Kalli, Grant and Brooke Dircks; great-grandchildren Maria and Sophia Dircks, Easton and Avery Decker. He is also survived by his two sisters, Judith Schuck and Juanita Etzler and many nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made in Decker’s name to the Town of Bel Air for a future project in his memory.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 141 Hickory Ave. in Bel Air. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at the church.

Decker will be buried at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock Spring Road.