Donald H. Becker

Our much loved husband, father, grandfather, and brother left this earth to join his heavenly Father on Saturday, July 2, 2016. His passing was peaceful, and his family was at his side. Don had strong faith and had conveyed many times over the years that he was not afraid to die. Many people were the recipients of Don's generosity. He loved to help family, friends, employees, and anyone else who was in need. It was not uncommon for him to surprise his family members with a cute or useful item he picked up at the store. Don loved Christmas and all his Christmas decorations. He played piano and the organ, and would play by memory some of his favorite songs. Don was born in Afton, WI to Harry and Helen (Wickersham) Becker. He attended schools in Wisconsin, graduating from Adams-Friendship High School. He then attended teacher's college in Sherman, SD and taught there for two years. Shortly before the start of the Korean War, Don joined the Navy. He was stationed in Guam and Pearl Harbor, and served aboard the USS Walke DD723 and the USS Bowfin SS-287 attack submarine. Immediately after leaving the Navy, Don headed for Alaska to join his parents and siblings in homesteading property near Fairbanks. He began his banking career at this time (1953) as a stock boy for Alaska National Bank. In 1964 (the year of the big earthquake), Don had worked his way up to Comptroller/Personel Manager, and decided to hire the new arrival from Chicago. Her name was Karen (Zeitler) and in 1965, they were married. Both of their children, Andrea and Craig, were born in Fairbanks. Don was promoted to Vice President and the family remained in Fairbanks until 1971, when Fred Burnett called to offer Don a job at Central Washington Bank in Wenatchee, WA. He eagerly accepted. The family moved to Sisters, OR from about 1974 to 1978 to run a grocery store they had aquired while still in Alaska. The store sold, so it was back to Wenatchee and Central Washington Bank for Don. During this time, Don became very involved with the Elks Club. In 1984, when he was the Exalted Ruler, the Wenatchee Ritual Team won the state competition. With the help of many volunteers, Bingo became the way to pay for the team trip to Hawaii for the Nationals. Don originated the weekly bingo games at the Elks Club and was often one of the bingo callers. In 1988, Don left banking and he and Karen opened the original Subway stores in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. In 1998, they sold the stores and retired to Carson City, NV. In 2011, they moved back to East Wenatchee to be near their family. Don is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Andrea (Chris) Sharp; son, Craig (Tanya) Becker; grandson, Jeremiah Sharp; granddaughter, Ashley Sharp; sisters, Barbara Avery of California, Dorothy Resch of Alaska; brother, Rick (Joy) Becker of Nevada; and two "best" dogs, Rambo and Rocky. There will be a private memorial at a later date. No Services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Central Washington Hospital Hospice or the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. Our thanks to the hospice team that allowed our family to have quality time together with Don before he had to leave.

Donald H. Becker

November 5, 1929 - July 2, 2016