David Edwin Becker
(September 2, 1926 - March 2, 2014)

David Edwin Becker, 87, of Huntington, West Virginia, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 2, 2014 surrounded by his family. David was born on September 2, 1926, son of the late Bernard Frederick and Tressie Mae Becker and brother of the late Frederick Becker and Eleanora Becker Sturm. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Carolyn Andrews Harvey Becker; his five daughters, Katherine Becker Mansouri (Bijan) Brentwood, TN, Kamine Becker Haghighi (Jamshid) Greensboro, NC, Dr. Karen A. Becker, Lincoln, NE, Kimberly Becker Kletten, Lillestrom, Norway, and Kristine Becker Boike (Chris) Berwyn, IL; and 10 grandchildren, David Mansouri (Jessica), Sarah Mansouri Basel (Oran), Michael Mansouri, Sassan Haghighi, Roxonna Haghighi, Kamilla Kletten, Lars Fredrik Kletten, Carrie Boike, Hannah Boike and Isabelle Boike.  David was a 1944 graduate of Huntington East High School and an Army Veteran of WWII, serving in Paris, France. He received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and received additional training and certification at Marshall University. He worked for 15 years in the family business at Becker Music Store in Huntington. In 1966 he became Band Director at Wayne County High School and played in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. In 1974 David began teaching in the Cabell County Public Schools as a String Music Specialist and co-conducted, with Jackie Shaw, the first County Youth Orchestra. He was also conductor of the Ashland Community Youth Orchestra. In 1985 he was named Supervisor of Music in Cabell County Public Schools until his retirement in 1992. He continued as a substitute teacher in the school system along with teaching private lessons to young violinists.  David was the founding principal violist of the Huntington Chamber Orchestra and Huntington Symphony Orchestra. He helped form the Classic String Quartet, playing for many weddings and events throughout the Tri-state area. He was an active member of the American String Teachers Association and served as President of the West Virginia Chapter. He was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians, Retired Teachers Association, American Legion, Huntington Museum of Art and YMCA.  David was a lifelong member at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Huntington, serving in many different capacities including youth and senior choir director, church council and member of the senior choir. He was also involved in the Southside Neighborhood Organization, striving for improvements in his beloved city of Huntington.  David's unwavering faith and passion for music, teaching and performing has inspired students, parents, colleagues and family alike. His wife, children and grandchildren share his love and passion for music; many of whom are musicians and teachers themselves. David was a true gentleman, model citizen and lifelong Huntingtonian. He dearly loved and cherished his wife Carolyn and all his family, and they in turn loved and adored him. His positive, selfless spirit, sense of humor, love of family and friends and passion for music will live on through his children and grandchildren and all who knew and loved him.  The family appreciates the love and support from their church family and dearest friends. Visitation will be held at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary in Huntington, WV from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 721 12th Avenue in Huntington, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8th with Reverend Carl Ames, Reverend Jeffrey P. Wick and Reverend Dr. William R. Harvey (brother-in-law) officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ronald Dennis, Paul Engelbrecht, Clyde Heck, David Benjamin Jones, Alan Mace Sturm (nephew) and Don Williams. Interment will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery immediately following the service.