James Decker
James H. Decker, MA
Assistant Professor Emeritus
DECKER James Harvey Decker.
In the early morning hours of February 21, 2009, James Harvey Decker passed away peacefully at 89 years young, in Wyoming, Ohio. Jim was born in Kingston, New York on October 2, 1919 to Ethel and Harvey Decker and spent his childhood there. Jim graduated from Cornell University in 1943. After college, Jim headed to the Philippines and was honorably discharged in 1946. Jim obtained a Masters of Social Work from the University of Chicago in 1951. While at college, he met Marjorie Roselle Heit, and they were married on December 14, 1946. Their first child, Stuart James, was born in Chicago with Janet Elizabeth, being born in Des Moines, Iowa. Jim pursued his career in Social Work over the next 35 years, retiring from his teaching career at Ohio State University in 1985. Jim remained active golfing, playing tennis, fishing and was an avid bird watcher always building his bird "life list". He loved gardening, whether in his back yard or at the community plots. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Craig Hess. He leaves his wife, Marjorie, of Wyoming; their son Stuart, his wife Leah and their two daughters Isabella and Vanessa of Ann Arbor, Michigan and daughter Janet and her husband Jeff of Helena, Montana and granddaughters, Kathlyn and Ariann. In addition to family, Jim leaves behind many friends that were like family and who were a constant comfort in his final days. He will be greatly missed. Cremation has occurred. A memorial service is planned for February 28, 2009 at 3 p.m. at Gwen Mooney Funeral Home (513) 853-1035. In lieu of flowers,donations can be made in Jim's honor to the Hamilton County Parks District.
Education
MA – University of Chicago
BS – Cornell University
Teaching Interests
Social Functioning
Social Work Practice
Community Mental Health
Research Interests
Alcohol abuse among youth
Design of community service systems
Application of systems theory to community service and problem solving techniques
Evaluation of small agencies as a service system
Introduction
Publications & Presentations
Professor Decker has given many presentations in Southwest Ohio and in other locations in the U.S. on the use of systems models in delivering services to youth with alcohol problems and in general community problem solving. He has also lectured on differential training of service personnel and in combining field practice with laboratory classes. He has written many papers on planning treatment of alcoholics, and application of systems theory to delivery systems. His research and assessment of the small agency resulted in a publication in Social Casework.
Professional Practice & Career Development
Professor Decker practiced professionally in family service agencies and as a program analyst and planning consultant for two decades before joining the College of Social Work faculty. Those positions were preceded by five years of teaching practice courses and social function at the University of Iowa. When he joined the Ohio State University faculty Professor Decker’s duties were split between field practice and teaching graduate courses, which were for the most part centered in the University of Cincinnati Campus, but was a joint operation with the O.S.U. College of Social Work. His previous extensive practice as well as teaching experience prepared him for the complex role he was assigned to fulfill and constant traveling.
Community Service and Personals
Professor Decker had a very active schedule serving on boards, task forces and in advisory roles to organizations and agencies concerned with alcoholism, developmental disorders, family service and mental health as well as the program committee of the regional chapter of N.A.S.W. in the Southwest Ohio region. When not occupied with professional tasks, Professor Decker enjoys gardening and bodily engages the perils of wild mushroom hunting. After retirement, Professor Decker worked in Ohio in Hamilton County Mental Health agencies, in part supervising students. Through the years he also served as executive director of agencies in Ohio and Maine. In recent years, his activities have been reduced by vision and arthritic problems. These have placed limitations on golf, hiking, etc. Some time has been filled by being active in the political arena.
