Raymond Charles Becker, loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on October 7, 2008 at the age of 59 at his home in San Juan Bautista. He was born to Max and Barbara on June 2, 1949 in Altoona, PA, graduated from Sylmar High School in Sylmar, CA and married Martha Hill on June 7, 1980 in Santa Ana, CA after meeting her in Japan.
Deeply committed to serving his community and country in many ways, Ray served as a Staff Sergeant for 10 years in the Army. He was currently serving as the president of San Juan Bautista Rotary and the California Builders Industry Association. He was also an active board member of the San Benito County Business Council. Ray and Martha were members of the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Gilroy, serving the church in many ways.
Ray’s life’s work included serving in the Armed Forces as well as working for some of the nation’s largest real estate development firms including Lusk Industries, Lennar Corporation and DMB Associates.
He was a fine wood-working craftsman, carpenter, and loved being a beer, wine and food connoisseur.
Ray is survived by his wife, Martha, their two children Matthew Becker (wife Alicia) of Dana Point, CA, daughter Jennifer Becker of Riverside, CA, parents Max “Chuck” and Barbara Becker of Lompoc, CA, his brothers- William Becker of Monterey, Max Becker of San Bernardino, CA, Anthony Mann (Wife Linda) of York, PA, his sister Karen Cowgill (husband Lt. Colonel Clay Cowgill) of Oxnard, CA, his niece Elizabeth Boehling (husband Josh) of Riverside, CA, and nephew Christopher Becker of Riverside, CA and his mother-in-law Mary Hill of Riverside, CA
“Ray was an inspiration to his family, friends, co-workers and anyone he ever met. He was generous, kind and wise. He represented everything we all strived to be. He loved as much as he was loved and he will be deeply missed.” Ray’s son Mathew expressed.
Services will be held at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Gilroy on October 16 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be sent to the San Juan Bautista Rotary “In Memory of Ray Becker”, P.O. Box 823, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045.
