Masako Uema Decker

CASA GRANDE - Masako Uema Decker, 94, of Casa Grande died on July 17, 2019, with family by her side.

Mrs. Decker, known to close friends as "Mama-San," was born on May 20, 1925, in Shinzato Village, Okinawa, Japan, to Manzo and Ushi Uema. She had many jobs. In her younger years she worked pitching tires, as a tailor and in military mess halls on bases in Okinawa. She moved to Casa Grande from Phoenix in 1973 and worked as a seamstress in Phoenix and Casa Grande. She later worked for Hexcel Corp. and retired in 2000 at age 75.

She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and playing bingo. She loved watching the Arizona Diamondbacks and her children and grandchildren when they participated in sports. She obtained her GED when she was in her 80s and was very proud of that accomplishment.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Gonzales of Maricopa; two sons, Masahiro Tamaki of Okinawa and Peter Decker of Wilber, Nebraska; a sister, Shizuko Uema; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren (one due in March 2020). She was predeceased by a daughter, Helen Decker; two husbands, Sentoku Tamaki and James Decker; her life partner, Ramon Leza; a great-granddaughter, Jurnie Kartchner; two brothers; and two sisters.

Celebration of life at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, at Desert Sky Baptist Church.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel in charge of arrangements.