Donald LaVerne Becker

  Donald LaVerne Becker, beloved husband, father, and friend, returned to his Heavenly Father on April 28, 2017. He was born January 27, 1929 in Brush, Colorado, the only child of Fredrick and Leah (Lebsock) Becker. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, he enriched, comforted, and cheered the lives of many.  From a very young age, he sang with his mother in church, for family, and friends. In 1943, the decision was made to move to Utah, where he and his parents secured jobs to assist in the war effort. Don painted the ID numbers and letters on the airplanes, his father was Facilities Manager at the Arsenal Villa, and his mother sewed pilot jackets and parachutes. Don attended North Davis Junior High, Weber High, and Weber College, where singing opportunities continued. In 1949, he earned an Associate of Science.

   After 6 years of blissful courtship, he married the love of his life, Peggy Lou Cullum, on March 15, 1951 (marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple). That same year, he received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Utah State Agricultural College and then joined the Air Force. He was assigned to be a welfare specialist assistant to the chaplains and provide music for funerals, weddings, etc. at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. Don and Peggy welcomed their first child there.  After an honorable discharge, he returned to Utah State and obtained a Master of Science in Music Education. He also performed in several opera productions there under the direction of Dr. Walter Welti. The young family then moved to Southern California so Don could pursue a career in teaching, but those jobs were not available. He found employment at the post office, delivered newspapers, drove trucks, taught voice lessons, and sang for the Pasadena Opera and Citrus Opera. While there, two more children joined the family. 

   When the newspaper he worked for went out of business, they moved back to Utah.  At the encouragement of a former music teacher, he auditioned for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and served in that organization for 20 years, singing solos on the broadcast and on tours. Don also opened a vocal studio and taught voice lessons.  When the Utah Opera Company was established, Don was cast in many leading roles and toured the state with the “Opera in the Schools” program.  He loved singing for the little children.

   Besides enjoying the company of family and friends, Don was a lover of the great outdoors and anything on two or four wheels to get you there. It was a real treat to watch good old movies in his company. He made friends very easily and will be greatly missed.

   He is survived by his wife; children: DaVauna (Richard) Arbon, Daunna (Ron) Stakebake Jr, Darron (Debra) Becker, 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren.  

   Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the Lindon Utah 16th Ward, 610 West 100 South.  Friends and family may visit Friday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main Bountiful, UT or Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment will be at the City of Orem Cemetery.  Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.  The family would like to thank Julee Hamilton and the staff from Brighton Home Health and Hospice for their love and care.