Vernon News, May 11, 1964
p.4 - Long Time Resident Thomas Becker, Buried
Funeral service for Thomas Charles Becker, a native son of Armstrong, was
held Thursday afternoon from St. James Anglican Church, Rev. J.R. Hague
officiated.  Mr. Becker, who was born in 1910, died May 4 in Vancouver where
he was taking treatment.  His grandfather C.J. Becker, was miller with the
Pioneer Flour Mill which stood where Buckerfield’s is now located.  His
grandmother, Mrs. T. Clinton St., arrived in the district as a young girl
from Germany, when there were few settlers in the area.  She was among the
first 20 white women to settle in Spallumcheen.
Mr. Becker, in his youth, was one of Armstrong’s hockey stars and was rated
as one of the best defence players in the Okanagan hockey league.  He served
in the RCAF during the Second World War.  He was a member of Spallumcheen
Masonic Lodge No. 13, and served as Master in 1957.  He served for many
years on the executive of Branch 35, Royal Canadian Legion, and was
president in 1953 and 1954.  Besides his wife, the former Betty Thornton,
Mr. Becker is survived by one son Frank, 13; three daughters, Sharon (Mrs.
J. C. Blewett of Regina); Vicki, (Mrs. Bob Dodds, Armstrong); Phyllis (Mrs.
A.K. McGrath, Armstrong); and seven grandchildren.  Also surviving are his
father Frank J. Becker, Armstrong; four sisters; Frances (Mrs. H. Avis) and
Genevieve (Mrs. J. Culling) both of Calgary, Alta., Mrs. Helen Skermer of
Penticton and Shirley (Mrs. Art Danallanko) of Armstrong.
Honorary pallbearers at the funeral, which was attended by members of the
Legion and of the ladies’auxilliary, were: Peter Smith, Robert Hornby,
Joseph Mullen, Mat Hassen, Bert Fletcher, James E. Jamieson.  Active
pallbearers were: Gordon Sidney, Bill Parker, Art Henley, Jim Hill, Dave
Plackburn, Audley File.  Sage and Pothecary, Ltd. was in charge of the
funeral arrangements.
