Charles William "Bud" Becker, (1933 - 2016) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

82 years old
Born on September 16, 1933
Passed away on March 18, 2016

Charles William “Bud” Becker, 82, of Goodells, Michigan died Friday, March 18, in his home.

Charles Becker was born September 16, 1933 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Edward Gustav and Helen Grace Becker. While attending Marysville High School he began working at a local bakery, which became the start of a lifelong interest. After graduating, he enlisted in the Armed Services where he served as baker for two years. He then baked for the St. Clair County Medical Center and taught at Marysville High School. In 1960 he married Mary Sue Hodge of Snover, Michigan, who preceded him in death in 1977. In 1962 he earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Michigan State University.

After opening and operating the Memphis Meat Market and Bakery for five years, Mr. Becker began teaching at Memphis High School where he taught Michigan, U.S. and World History. After several years of teaching, he became principal of Memphis Middle School, during which time he also served as Wales Township Supervisor. In 1978 he married Louise Kay (Parker) Eldred. He sold insurance for Farm Bureau after taking a break from education, but returned to teach at Memphis for several more years. He was also a member of the Memphis Lions Club.

While growing up in the country, Bud developed a love for nature, gardening, farming and keeping livestock. After moving to a small farm in Goodells in 1961 he was able to realize his interests and hobbies. At various points during fifty-five wonderful years he enjoyed keeping two-hundred sheep, milking four Brown Swiss cows and raising several Black Angus cattle. In addition to livestock, he also dug and stocked two ponds, tended three large gardens and enjoyed his own bend of Pine River. Later in his life he enjoyed collecting tractors, raising catfish, watching movies and reading. He also volunteered his time at Marwood Nursing and Rehab.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Kay Becker, and the five children they raised together: sons Craig Becker of Goodells; Kevin (Gayle) Becker of Rockton, Illinois; daughter Amy (Dave) Wahls of Goodells; and sons Christopher (Tyra) Becker of Ann Arbor and Jeffery Eldred of Chesterfield; seven grandchildren: Simeon, Cassielle, Olivia, James, Anna, Christina and Astrid; brother Robert (Jackie) of Crosslake, Minnesota, aunt Viola (Ernest) Heim, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staffs at McLaren Hospital, Marwood Nursing and Rehab, and the Visiting Nurses Association and Blue Water Hospice for their care and dedication.

Cremation has taken place.

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September 16, 2023

Thinking about our dear Bud on his 90th birthday, and celebrating the day which brought us one of the finest people any of us will ever have the privilege of knowing. This time of year especially reminds me of Bud, not only because of his birthday, but because of the beauty of nature all around us. Thinking of him brings reminders to slow down and appreciate the gifts that are right before us, every moment of every day. Happy 90th Birthday to the best father-in-law a girl from down the road could ever dream of. Your love is far-reaching, and your gentle guidance still echoes. Big hug.

September 16, 2021

Today has been filled with loving thoughts of Bud, whom we are all so lucky to have had in our lives. I couldn't have asked for a better father-in-law, nor a better man to have raised my wonderful husband. The best husband to Louise, the best dad to all five kids, and an amazing grandfather to all of our children. I can still hear his hearty laughter and see his warm smile. Those are the things I treasure the most, along with the happy memories of family time shared with all of us together. When I think of Bud, I think of home. With much love and gratitude from The Girl Down The Road.

September 16, 2019

Gosh, we miss this amazing guy! Seeing his smiling face on the home page brought me comfort, yet also a wee bit of pain because of how much we miss his smiles, his calming presence, his wisdom, his life stories, and his hearty laughter. I consider myself so lucky every day to have known him, and to have been welcomed into his family in 1986. I am so lucky every day to have married his son, who possesses so many of the same qualities I have always admired in Bud. Especially on his birthday I am thinking of him.

September 16, 2016

Thinking of my dear father-in-law on what would be his 83rd birthday. Bud is in my thoughts and in my heart every single day. He continues to have a positive impact on all who were lucky enough to know and love him.

September 16, 2016

Sending love and hugs to my aunt, cousins and all of our Michigan relatives as we celebrate Bud far apart. We miss him every day and are so grateful to have been a part of his life.

April 10, 2016

I knew Bud and Mary Sue in the late 60's I worked for them in Memphis at the Bakery and Meat Market. They were both so good to me, and working for them was wonderful and fun. So sorry for your loss, he was always so full of life. Rest in Peace Bud.

April 6, 2016

Originally posted on the Jowett Funeral Home site:

Mr. Becker you were a great man and principal... I think and tell people all the time about life lessons I learned from you when I was in Memphis Middle School and will continue telling them... Praying for your family and friends during this difficult time... Thanks for making me a better person... RIP Mr. Becker

Dave French - March 19

April 6, 2016

Originally posted on the Jowett Funeral Home site:

I am praying for Mr. Becker and your family. I was a student of his and later knew him as a fellow teacher. He was an outstanding person who I thought very highly of. As a student, I was in his class when President Kennedy was shot and like all things, he handled the situation with compassion and caring.

John Knuth - March 27

March 31, 2016

Originally posted in The Times Herald:

March 27, 2016

I remember Bud from when I was a pre-teen. My mother and I would go to that first bakery that he worked at while he was at MHS. He always remembered how much my father and I loved his jelly donuts and he would take them in the back and fill them chock full, almost to the point of exploding, with jelly. I've never had a good jelly donut since then! He was a good neighbor and friend who lived next to us on Gratiot Rd. through the 70s. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.

Connie Demeter

March 31, 2016

Originally posted in The Times Herald:

March 28, 2016

Craig and Kevin.. I will be lifting you and your family members up in prayer as you mourn the loss of your father. May he rest in peace.

Eric Payton

March 27, 2016

Thinking of Craig and his family and friends at this very sad time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Reading these beautiful tributes gives a sense of how great the loss is. Xo

March 27, 2016

Bud was a Special person whom I had the pleasure to meet. Prayers for his family and friends. May your many fond memories comfort you all in the days that follow.

March 24, 2016

Bud was our Niece Tyra's Father - in -law. While we were on a trip from England , 10 years ago, Bud and Louise were kind enough to invite us to stay with them for a visit. Their welcome and hospitality were lovely and we have always remembered our visit fondly. Rest in Peace Bud. Our thoughts are with Louise and the family.

March 23, 2016

He was one of my favorite teachers in 1972, I enjoyed his classes. He always had the kids respect. I am sorry for your loss.

March 23, 2016

Craig, Kevin, and Gayle, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for the loss of your Dad. I didn't know him, but he sounds like a wonderful man from the tributes left by others. May you find peace during this time of sorrow.

Cheri Messenger-Nicholas

March 23, 2016

Throughout my life, high school, college, law school, etc, I've had a lot of teachers. Mr. Becker will always be one of the best in my book, perhaps the best. He was a delightful man to learn from- kind, wise, intelligent, even-tempered, and funny. He was just a great person. I still think about him from time to time, and was wondering recently how he has been. May God bless you Charles Becker. You will live on in the lives of those you've touched.

March 22, 2016

To Bud's Children. Not my words but the words of Abraham Lincoln. When I read them I thought of you. "It is with deep grief that I learn of the death of your kind and brave Father; and, especially, that it is affecting your young hearts beyond what is common in such cases. In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it." Dick & Maryanne

March 22, 2016

I can easily say the Mr. Becker was by far one of my most favorite teachers. He was a wondeful and kind person. I will always have fond memories of him!

March 22, 2016

Sorry to hear of your loss. Craig, Kevin and Gayle, you are in my thoughts and I wish you peace.

March 22, 2016

My condolences to the entire Becker family and their many friends. Craig told me that his father passed with his family close at his side. What better way to leave this world?
Rest in peace "Mr. Becker."

March 22, 2016

"I'm a farmer."

It was pure chance that I ever met Bud Becker. It only happened because his son Christopher married my daughter Tyra in Ann Arbor. So Joan and I had occasion to visit Bud and Louise in the wilds of northern Michigan.

Here are some impressions from my visits to the bucolic Becker farm:

I sensed Bud's quiet pride in the lovely home that (at least in part) he had designed and built himself.

I admired Bud's story-telling skills as he recounted a striking variety of accomplishments and adventures from much earlier in his life.

During an overnight visit many years ago, Bud was very spiffy in the morning: freshly washed and shaved, sparkling clean clothes, alert and energetic. Impressed by such vitality so early in the day, I asked him how he had slept. "Not very well," he answered, "I barely get to sleep, and then the shoulders start to burning..." His usual chipper persona masked a lot of pain and sleep deprivation, but he clearly didn't find it appropriate to complain.

Bud and I both enjoyed watching birds at our feeders: his in St.Clair County and mine in Sullivan County (NY). In my experience, most people don't particularly like crows at their feeders because they scare away smaller birds and eat a lot. But I recall Bud saying that crows were his favorite bird "because they're so smart."

Finally, one day Bud showed me an enormous length of new corrugated steel drain pipe (several feet in diameter and perhaps 12 to 15 feet long). The pipe was on the ground near the house, to be installed at one of his ponds hundreds of feet away. When I asked him how on earth he would move the giant pipe, he looked at me for a moment before saying simply, "I'm a farmer." His answer was perfect: for him it was a obvious statement of fact, and (to the extent that I was a clueless city-slicker from Manhattan) it was a polite and gentle put-down.

I'm much more tolerant of crows now, Bud.

-Steve Johnston

[Astrid's other Grampa]

March 22, 2016

Mr. Becker was a patient vivacious teacher. I had the pleasure of attending his classes from 8th to 12th grade. I know many of my classmates carry fond memories of him and his unique teaching style. He will be greatly missed and always hold a spot in my heart. My condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. Heaven has gained another one of the "Greats". God Bless

March 21, 2016

Becker family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort draw you close to Himself at this difficult time.
Dan and Margaret Thompson
Deckerville

March 21, 2016

Beautiful tribute,

my deepest condolences to the Becker family.
I did not have the honor of personally knowing Mr Becker, however
this tribute speaks beautifully as to the wonderful man he was
and how he is so loved. Blessings and prayers

March 21, 2016

Gone too soon...

My entire family shares in your loss.

March 21, 2016

Great memories in life started flowing when I met Craig at Port Huron High School. Many of those started at the farm in Goodells. I recall your Dad being a strong and generous man whom I always respected a great deal. Given some of the mischief we always seemed to find ourselves in back then, I have also come to know how patient and gracious both he and Louise were. From that patience and generosity, I was blessed with a cherished lifelong friendship. I have been grateful for that ever since.

My deep condolences to the Becker family for your loss. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

March 21, 2016

My sincere condolences to all the Beckers.

I have a great memory of Mr. Becker ("Chaaaaarles!") and here it is: A few years back, I went to the farm for dinner and Euchre. I hadn't played Euchre in YEARS (in my experience, people in California don't play cards as much as they do in Michigan) but Mr. Becker claimed me for his teammate and we were off and running. (Truth be told, I was a nervous wreck...Mr. Becker was quite serious about his Euchre.)

Anyway, at some point, I looked at my hand and thought I might actually be able to take it alone. I spoke up and said as much, which pretty much brought Mr. Becker's eyeballs out of his head... lol... he had no faith in me. But I had a really great hand, so I stood my ground. Mr. Becker got a little twinkle in his eye and said, "Okaaay... let's see what you've got." (That really made me nervous.)

Long story short, I took it, we got our four points, and Mr. Becker could NOT have been prouder. We hooted and hollered as if we'd just won the lottery. What a great night.

And speaking of the lottery... I'll tell you when I actually did win the lottery... 40 years ago this fall, my first day of high school, homeroom, when Craig sat behind me. Craig became, and has remained, my oldest/truest/dearest friend.

Craig, you made the decision to return to Michigan to help your family, culminating with these last few months in Goodells, helping your dad and Louise. In the story of your life, I truly believe your presence at your dad's side will be one of your (and his) most cherished memories.

I'm so deeply sorry for your family's loss, and I'm here for whatever you need. See you soon, buddy. I love you. XO

-Kimberly Brown

March 20, 2016

A lovely tribute.
Bud was my daughter Tyra Johnston's father-in-law. We didn't know him well, but the several times we met we enjoyed his company, his enthusiasm for growing and raising things and our tours around his property.
He fought a good fight and we hope he rests in peace.

March 20, 2016

Scott and I remember the bittersweet times when Uncle Bud would stay with us while Aunt Mary Sue was in the hospital in Ann Arbor. Scott was a medical student then and I was a nurse who was able to help care for Mary Sue during part of my time there. Mary Sue and Bud had such a good sense of humor and their time with us was precious, but we knew they and the young boys were hurting through this difficult time. Mary Sue would say that she wanted Bud to marry again (she was trusting in God and was an encouragement to others), and we are glad that Louise and her family were able to help give him and Craig, Kevin, and Chris another satisfying life. Though we have not seen Uncle Bud in many years, we were always glad for the rare times we spent with the boys, and now men with families, who shared his and their mom's sense of humor and love for life even through trials they have had and continue to have. Praying for blessings and comfort for the whole family. Thanks for the opportunity to share in this extended family love.

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September 16, 2023

September 16, 2021

September 16, 2019

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Gallery

Brother Bob and Bud sharing a laugh in 2009 during a family reunion.

With Louise and Jackie (sister-in-law) & Robert Becker (brother), 2010

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