DON L. GRUBER BECKER

Don Gruber Becker

Don L. Gruber Becker, 59, of Nampa, Idaho, died on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996, at his home from cancer.

He was born Jan. 29, 1937 in Astoria, a son of Jesse and Bessie Gruber. His father and mother died when he was 7 years old and Don and one brother were raised by an aunt and uncle, Rev. A.P. and Fannie Becker. He married Cindy Lambrecht in Alhambra, Calif., on Aug. 10, 1958. She survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Dawn and Everett Studer and Teresa and Ken Nicodemus, all of Nampa, Brenda and Bill Borchers of Polson, Mont., and Monica Becker at home; one son, Kevin and Mary Becker of Gillette, Wyo.; Julie (who has been like a daughter to the family since she was in junior high school) and her husband Chuck Meyers of Nampa; two sisters, Ollidean Huber, of Sun City, Ariz. and Iona Towery, of Havana; three brothers, Bob and Joyce Becker of Longview, Wash., Stan and Nancy Gruber of Astoria, and Gerald and Barbara Gruber of Farmington; 14 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt and uncle who raised him; a son, Douglas; a brother, Max; and a sister, Mary.

He attended Grants Pass High School in Grants Pass, Ore. and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged and given a good conduct medal. Don worked as a termite inspector for 11 years in California. In 1969 the family moved to Napa where he worked as control room foreman at Amalgamated Sugar Co. He owned and operated Commercial Sprayers until Jan. 1, 1996, when he sold the business due to his illness.

He fought courageously an 18 month battle with cancer never giving up hope or complaining. He was a loving husband and father and devoted to his family, who always came first in his life. Don loved hunting, fishing and family gatherings. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him as their friend.

Funeral services were held Saturday at the Alsip Funeral Chapel with Larry Sweeney officiating. Military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps in Boise were performed. Private inurnment was at the Kohlerlawn Cemetery.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 9/25/1996