Obituary of Earl Charles Elmer Becker

Earl C.E. Becker, 97, passed away April 1, 2023. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 17, 1926 to Earl John and Edith Becker. He worked a wide variety of jobs from the time he was in elementary school and then in January 1944 he joined the US Navy. He was assigned to the signal corp and attended training at the University of Chicago Signal and Radar school. While in the Navy he was stationed at a variety of land bases. On V.J. Day he was stationed in Okinawa. This was a story he loved telling everyone. During his time in the service he earned the American Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged June 1946. He was very proud of his service and credited the Navy for motivating him for a better life and a desire for travel. Upon his return to Chicago he took the GED and passed, which gave him the opportunity to reach out to colleges. He wrote to 10 different schools, one of which was Arizona State College in Tempe. ASC responded to his inquiry with an application, which he completed and subsequently was accepted. He moved to Arizona in August 1947 without any idea of what to expect. He met Elizabeth, his wife, at ASC Fall 1947. They were married May 1948. He graduated from ASC magna cum laude and began his first teaching position in Bagdad, AZ. In 1954, he moved to Gilbert where he continued teaching and became active in the Town of Gilbert government. He was a remarkable man, with a deep faith in God, who placed family first and foremost, and worked hard at every job he had. He loved to travel and often said how much he would have loved to take his students to historical sites, so they could understand the importance of history. He loved hunting, fishing, bowling, racquetball, walking and baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs. He had a heart for service and was a charter member of the Gilbert Lions Club and the Chandler Elks Club. The Lions Club and its mission was a passion for him. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Craig (Jim), son, Earl J., 4 grandchildren, Lara Rockwell (Nick), Michael Becker, David Becker (Roni), Earl Patrick Becker (Sarah), and 5 great grandchildren Brooklinn, Rebecca, Alex, Earl Jacob and Jettsen.

Visitation will be at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N Macdonald Mesa AZ 85201 on 4/13/2023 from 6:00pm-7:30pm. A graveside service will be held at City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa AZ 85201 on 4/14/2023 at 10:00am, with a celebration of his life to follow at the HD South-Gilbert Historical Society, 10 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert AZ 85296 from 12:00pm-4:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Lions Club, c/o Susan Marques 1633 E Lakeshore Dr, Unit 165, Gilbert AZ 85234.