James “Jim” Noel Deckard Jr., 62, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at UTMB Hospital on Galveston Island. Jim was raised in the Catholic faith and was a resident of Texas City, Texas, where he retired from the Weld Shop at BP Amoco on April Fools’ Day, 2009. Jim was the owner of The Sawdust Box, a custom woodworking shop where he was an expert craftsman and carpenter. Jim also owned The Shooters Gun Smoke in Galveston, Texas, which at that time was one of only a few dealers in the country to offer custom-made guns. Other hobbies include competition cooking, playing Texas Hold’em, and playing a very active role in his grandchildren’s daily life.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother, Helen “Nancy” Vanskike; father, James “Buddy” Deckard, Sr., and stepfather, Harry Vanskike.
Jim is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Janet Sue Deckard; brother, Robert Deckard and wife, Nancy; stepmother, Tencha Deckard; daughter, Wendy Michelle Deckard; son-in-law, Jerry Valenzuela; grandchildren, Melody Nicole Deckard and Benicio Tiago Valenzuela; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Jim’s family will receive visitors beginning at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm at the funeral home with burial following at Galveston Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Deckard, Edward Pean, III, Lonnie Wiles, Jerry Valenzuela, Joseph Reily, III, and Rolo Garza. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Deckard, Edward Pean, Jr., and Charlie Janner.