RAY E. BECKER DIES ON TRIP

PROMINENT LOCAL BUSINESS MAN SUCCUMBS TUESDAY AT VALDOSTA, GA.

RAY E. BECKER, 41, head of the BECKER AUTO CO., died Tuesday morning in Valdosta, Ga., where he had gone on a motor trip with his family. He was stricken with apoplexy in that city Saturday and his death had been feared momentarily since that time.

Born and educated at Fenton, Mr. Becker attended the University of Michigan before entering the employ of the Ford Motor Co. in Detroit for a short time. He came to Grand Rapids in 1908 and organized the company which bears his name.

He first handled Ford motorcars and in 1918 he took over the Cadillac agency. He also was connected with other business endeavors, one of the outstanding ventures being erection of MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING, Sheldon-av. and Weston-st.

Although young in years, his business ability was recognized in the city when he was elected president of the Association of Commerce, serving three terms from Feb. 6, 1923, to Feb. 2, 1926. He was the second man in the history of the association to hold his office three consecutive years, Charles B. Kelsey being the first. Laurence W. Smith is now completing his third term as the third president over this period of years.

Mr. Becker, who resided at 404 Fountain-st., N.E., was a member of the Masonic order, the Peninsular and the Rotary clubs. The body will be returned to this city.

Mr. Becker leaves the widow, MRS. BERTHA S. BECKER; two sons, JOHN, 15, and LAWSON, 17, and his mother, MRS. EMMA A. BECKER OF FENTON, all of whom were with him at the time of his death, and a brother, WARD S. BECKER of Connecticut.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., 31 Dec. 1929, Pg. 1, Col. 4

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YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER DIES

RAY E. BECKER, 41, G.R. AUTO DEALER, EXPIRES IN SOUTH

LOSES BRIEF FIGHT AGAINST SUDDEN ILLNESS WHILE EN ROUTE TO FLORIDA

RAY E. BECKER, 41, owner of the BECKER AUTO CO. and the MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING, died yesterday in Valdosta, Ga., as the result of a stroke of apoplexy which occurred in the southern city last Saturday while Mr. Becker, accompanied by Mrs. Becker, his mother, and his youngest son, John, were en route to Florida.

His body will be returned to Grand Rapids tomorrow and will arrive at 1:45 p.m. It will be removed from the train to the Metcalf mortuary where funeral arrangements will be made.

The Passenger Car Dealers association, of which Mr. Becker was a prominent member and a past president, expressed its deep regrets at Mr. Becker's untimely death in a statement made public yesterday through the president, A.L. Donaldson.

OFFERS SYMPATHY

The associations' resolution follows: "In the death of Ray E. Becker the Grand Rapids Passenger Car Dealers association senses a profound loss. Mr. Becker was a charter member of this organization, an individual to whom other members looked with respect for his moral integrity, regard for his civic spirit and confidence in his counsel. His death is a personal loss for those members of this association who over a long term of years had learned to value his friendship.

"The Passenger Car Dealers association offers its sincere sympathy to the members of Mr. Becker's family who have suffered severe sorrow and to the community which has been deprived of an able, honest and conscientious citizen."

Grand Rapids Passenger Car Dealers Assn.
A.L. Donaldson, president
M.D. Elgin, secretary

A. OF C. PRESIDENT

Mr. Becker was born and educated in Fenton, attending the University of Michigan after completing his high school course there. After leaving school Mr. Becker was in the employ of the Ford Motor company for a short time before coming to Grand Rapids where he established the Becker Auto company in 1909, handling Ford cars. In 1918 he acquired the agency for the Cadillac line which he held at the time of his death.

He was elected president of the Association of Commerce in 1923 and held that post three years consecutively. He was a member of Valley City lodge, No. 86, F.&A.M., and the Peninsular and Rotary clubs.

In Grand Rapids Mr. Becker resided at 404 Fountain st., NE. He also maintained a summer home at Newaygo lakes. He leaves the widow, MRS. EMMA A BECKER; two sons, JOHN, 15, and LAWSON, 17; his mother, MRS. BERTHA S. BECKER of Fenton, and a brother, WARD S. BECKER of Connecticut.

NOTE: The Herald has reversed his wife for his mother, and his mother for his wife. Ray's mother is EMMA A. BECKER, and his wife is BERTHA V. BECKER.

THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wed., 1 Jan. 1930, Pg. 1, Col. 2 & Pg. 9, Cols. 6-7

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RAY EVERETT BECKER was born 20 Feb. 1887, in Fenton, Genesee Co., MI. He was the son of LAWSON E. BECKER (1856-1919) and EMMA AGNES STRINGER (1862-1960). Ray's parents were married, 7 Sept. 1882, in Redford, Wayne Co., MI. Ray E. Becker married BERTHA V. SHIPLEY or SHIPLY, 15 Sept. 1904. Bertha was the daughter of HENRY SHIPLEY or SHIPLY (1839-1916) and FRANCES LACY (1855-1929). Bertha's parents were married, 25 Aug. 1883, in Hartland, Livingston Co., MI. Ray and Bertha had two sons: Lawson and John Becker. Ray E. Becker died 31 Dec. 1929, in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA. Bertha was remarried on 22 Jan. 1931, to LIEUT. HOWELL HARRELL (1895-1962). Bertha died 7 Nov. 1976.