[Bristol-Birds] Tony M. Decker Obituary

Anton M. "Tony" Decker,  of Marion, VA,  died April 16th at 12:15 AM. 

He wrote "The Birds of Smyth County, Virginia" which was published by the
Bristol Bird Club in 1999 and funded by the Virginia Society of Ornithology.

His earlier publication, "The Birds of Smyth County and Some Adjacent Areas"
was self-published in 1981 and was the first checklist and first book on
birds in Southwest Virginia's history.  Supplements to the book were
published in 1985 and 1990.

Tony was  was a long time member of the Virginia Society of Ornithology,
having joined in 1969.  He served on the Board of Directors and was one of
the team that produced the 1979 publication "Virginia's Birdlife:
an Annotated Checklist".    He published several articles with photos on
wildflowers and birds in the Virginia Wildlife. He was a member of the
former Marion Bird Club and a past member of the Bristol Bird Club.  He was
a member of the  Marion Gun Club and enjoyed target shooting and hunting.

He was retired from the U. S. Forest Service July 31, 1970 after over thirty
years of Federal service, the last twelve years at Marion, VA, first as Fire
Control Officer, and the final three years in charge of all recreation
activities and construction on Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. 

He was born Dec. 5, 1911, he grew up in upstate New York on a dairy farm,
the son of Anthony and Margaret Saladin Decker.  He was a 1932 graduate of
the New York State Ranger School in Forestry, with additional studies at the
College
of Forestry at Syracuse, NY.

Predeceased by his parents, two sisters, two daughters, a brother, and a
step-daughter Susan Keen, he is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginnie), one
sister, Mrs. Anna D. Ogden of Walton, NY and a daughter Lisa J.
Decker and son-in-law Harold S. Mauck, Jr. (Scooter) of Manassas, VA.  He is
also survived by several nieces and nephews, and a  step-grand-daughter, her
three children, and her father Raymond Keen, all
of Manassas, VA. Interment after cremation will be on May 22, 2004 in the
family plot in Walton, NY cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations in his name  to the Virginia
Society of Ornithology,  1230 Viewmont Drive, Evington, VA  24550.

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN


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