Our beloved husband, father, and friend ascended to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

A lifelong resident of Yakima, Marv was born to Lorraine (Sanborn) and Alexander Becker on December 12, 1932.

He spent his earlier years living in the home that his father built, going to the Movie House on Saturdays to watch the "shorts" and walking to the ballpark to watch the baseball game. He always kept himself busy, joining the Boy Scouts and becoming a paperboy to earn some extra income.

Marv was introduced to music at a young age by his older sister, Laura. She would faithfully tune in to the weekly "Top Ten" pop music countdown and soon Marvin would get hooked as well. This love of music would continue throughout his entire life, beginning with joining his church choir as a boy, then as a teen in his high school choir, and later Marv would be involved in numerous singing groups and quartets. He particularly enjoyed his time and involvement in the local Camerata Club men's chorus. Marv had a song for every occasion and would often be reminded of a song during conversation and randomly say, "That makes me think of the song_____", and then proceed to sing it to you.

Marv always spoke fondly of his years at Yakima High School where he was on the track team and studied German. After graduation he headed to Linfield College to earn his teaching credentials. Marv often reminisced about his years at Linfield and his fraternity house, Theta Chi, as well as his job at the local Safeway.

Marv was drafted into the Army in 1955. He studied to become a Morse Code Radio Operator and it wasn't long before he joined the Second Army Chorus, and enjoyed his two loves of singing and traveling.

After his discharge from the Army, Marv returned to Yakima and began his teaching career. He taught at Washington Jr. High and then went on to Franklin Jr. High where he became the Librarian for the rest of his career, retiring in 1991. Marv was a magnificent story teller. Always using different voices for the characters and adding sound effects when needed, so it was no wonder that his love for reading was passed down to his children and grandchildren.

If you weren't blessed to know Marv from Franklin, you may have run into him at Wray's Thriftway, where he held a summer job, always enjoying working with people and getting to know his customers. It was in the 60s that Marv's cousin, Phyllis, who taught in Seattle, had a co-worker that she wanted Marvin to meet. In June 1965, Marvin married Frances Fast, and the two would share the next 52 years together. Marvin and Frances had two children, Aaron (Carrie) Becker and Gretchen (Tim) Hall, and seven grandchildren, Taylor, Sarah, Debbie, Chloe, and Alex Hall, and Kailyn and Jesse Becker. Marv enjoyed spending time with his family and going to the grandchildren's various sporting events. He loved taking in local Bears games with his grandson Taylor and always looked forward to his weekly trips with the grandkids for story hour at the local library. He had a love for baseball, camping, hiking, fishing and taking walks to "Mr. Thomas's Farm."

Marv accepted the Lord at a young age and was involved in the church in many capacities. Singing in the choir, as an elder, bus driver, Sunday school teacher just to name a few. His devotion to help others in need is known to all who knew him. He gave freely of his love and kindness. He treated all he came in contact with as a dear friend. He never knew a stranger and showed the same courtesy to all. Marv has touched the lives of so many and his soft voice and tender heart will be remembered by us all. Although he will be missed we can know that he is singing with the angels in the Lord’s Heavenly Choir, until we meet again.A celebration of Marv’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 1 pm at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow.