Harry Becker 1919 – 2011                                                   

Pinconning, Michigan

On October 20, 2011, the world lost one of the greatest from the "Greatest Generation" – Harry Becker, of Pinconning, MI, Marco Island, Fl, and formally of Saginaw, MI   was the first born twin, arriving just 15 minutes before his brother Henry, on March 13, 1919. They were the twin sons of William and Ida (Ruff) Becker.  He attended Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, North Intermediate, and Arthur Hill Trade schools. He held many jobs in the Saginaw area, working for Sobel Brothers, Nelson Brothers Foundry, and Malleable Iron Foundry. Harry married Lorraine Neff of Saginaw in June 14, 1941. He was drafted into the US Army in 1943, leaving behind a 3 month old daughter, Janet.  Janet was three years old when Harry returned following WW11. Harry served as a medic in the service, caring for German prisoners of war. His love for medicine could not advance however; because of a quirk in the educational system, he never graduated from high school! He returned to work at Malleable Iron taking night classes until joining Grant Grocery as a wholesale food salesman. In May of 1961, Harry joined his two brothers, Bill and Henry at Becker Distributing Company. In 1963, the brothers established another new business – Becker Leasing Company.  The three men owned and operated the businesses until their retirement in the spring of 1985. The brothers were known to help struggling pastors, and those experiencing hard times. They gave to many local needy projects, and churches, plus they sponsored local bowling and ball teams.  Harry loved to hunt and fish.  He was a member of the Saginaw Rod and Gun Club and won many awards for his skeet shooting abilities around the Midwest. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Birch Run, MI, and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pinconning, MI, and Marco Lutheran Church, Marco Island, FL.  On June 14, 2001, he realized a life long dream. At the age of 82, on his 60 wedding anniversary, (also Flag Day), he graduated from Arthur Hill High School.  He told everyone present, that he was looking forward to his 25 class reunion. Harry never had a bad day in his life, and inspired us all with his wit and positive attitude.  If a person asked Harry, "How are you doing?"  Harry's response would be, "Good, I'm always good!  I once was bad when I was five years old, and I got spanked.  Since then I've always been good!" He was proceeded in death by his parents, William and Ida Becker, and bothers William and Henry, and a sister– in law, Viola Becker and Sylvia Becker, all of Saginaw,  and son-in-law, Dr. Douglas Kinne of Petoskey, MI.  Harry leaves behind a daughter, Janet Kinne Conway, and her husband, Jim Conway of Petoskey, Mi. Harry also leaves three grand children – Rex and Matthew Kinne of Traverse City, MI, and Tamara Piper and her husband Doug of Harbor Springs, MI, and 3 great grand children, Brianna Shann, Jacob, and Tyler Piper, and 3 nephews, Ed and Mike Becker of Saginaw and Bob Becker of Traverse City.  The family will receive visitors at the Lee-Ramsey Funeral Home in Pinconning, MI, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 28.  A service celebrating Harry’s life will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Pinconning MI, at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 29.  The burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey, Mi, Monday, October 31.  He will lie in state at Greenwood Cemetery Chapel at 10:30 AM, with the committal service at 11:00 AM. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to St John's Lutheran Church, Pinconning MI, or to his daughter Jan’s Ministry – Christian Living Resources, P.O. Box 505, Conway, MI, 49772.

Notification Published by Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home

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