Delbert Earle Becker

Delbert "Del" Earle Becker, 88, of Mesa, AZ, went to be with his Lord on December 27, 2007. He was born on September 20, 1919 in Verndale, MN to Arthur and Gladys (Sanborn) Becker. He attended Crosby-Ironton High School in Crosby, MN and graduated in 1938. Delbert served in the National Guard in Crosby and entered the Army in 1941, stationed in Southern California. He returned to Crosby to marry Elvada Marcelle "Sally" Benson, his girlfriend of 5 years, on February 15, 1942 and moved to Richmond, CA. After being released from the Army, Delbert was the Outfitting Supervisor on board ship at Kaiser Shipyard #3 in Richmond. In 1945, he entered the real estate and construction business. In 1950, he served as Real Estate Board President, was an honorary life member of the board and won many awards. He was elected president of the Knights of the Round Table and the local chamber of commerce. In addition to being president of Rotary, he was also District Governor from 1971 - 1972. Delbert was a very active horseman and president of the local horseman association. He was the Elks Mounted Patrol Captain and led the Grand entry of Phoenix, Arizona Rodeo and Parade in 1953 and 1954. He was Contra Costa County Sheriff's Posse Captain in California for several years and rode in President Eisenhower's first inaugural parade in Washington D.C. in 1952. In 1956, he led the Sheriff's Posse in the Grand Parade in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and in 1959, he led the Alaska Statehood Parade along with Lowel Thomas, the Grand Master. Juneau, AK was very much in need of housing and Governor Bill Egan persuaded Delbert and his partner to build "Mendehaven Subdivision" near the Mendehaven Glacier. Delbert was a very active church member who served as an elder and a conference trustee. He secured many church sites for conferences and supervised the construction of several churches. He was a 35 year member of the Gideons and a past president. Delbert is survived by his wife of 65 years Sally; his two sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandsons: Leland "Lee", Marcia and Aaron of Danville, CA and Dennis, Vicki and Dylan of Napa, CA and his brother Wesley, Helendale, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard and his sister, Venita. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 4 at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5 at the Mortuary. After cremation, burial will be within the Benson family plot in Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, MN. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.