Gerald W. "Jerry" Becker

December 30, 1940 - September 3, 2019

Gerald W. “Jerry” Becker, age 78, of Kearney, passed away, Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at C.H.I. Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., September 10, 2019 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Alan Davis officiating. Burial will follow the service at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, September 9, 2019 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association. Jerry was born December 30, 1940 on a farm south of Aurora, Nebraska to Harold and Gladys (Gilmore) Becker. He grew up on a farm near Stockham and graduated from McCool Junction High School in 1958. During high school, Jerry began working for Caldwell Manufacturing in Fairmont, Nebraska. After high school he moved to Kearney where he earned a bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College. While attending Kearney State College he continued working for Caldwell Manufacturing, which had relocated to Kearney. This led to a career of over 30 years, during which time he eventually became the general manager of the Kearney plant. In 1991 Jerry became the owner and operator of Bill’s Liquor until retiring in 2006. He was a member of the inaugural class of Leadership Kearney, past board member of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Jerry also helped start the Kearney Bluejay baseball program. Jerry enjoyed gardening, doing yard work, spending time outdoors, taking pictures, and following his grandchildren’s activities. Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol Becker of Kearney, NE; sons, John Becker and wife Dawn of Kearney, NE, Chuck Becker and wife Doris of Kearney, NE, Terry Becker and wife Erin of Kearney, NE; grandchildren, Meagan Becker, Jaiden Becker, Zach Warnken, Megan Cowen, David Cowen, Faith Becker, Anthony Becker, Michaela Becker, Isaac Becker, and Alexis Becker; great grandchild Skylar Tompkins; brother, Glen Becker and wife Cindy of Harvard, NE; sister, Barb Rhodes, and husband John of Utica, NE. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister in law Donald and Judy Becker.