Michael S. Becker of Vicksburg, MI passed away on Oct 9, 2026 at the age of 85. Born on August 17, 1941 to Robert J. Becker and Margaret (Nelson) Becker, he was raised on a dairy farm in Climax, MI. After graduating from Climax-Scotts High School, he joined the Navy. From his station in Norfolk, VA, he hitchhiked home to Kalamazoo to propose to the love of his life Kathy Fredericks. They were married for over 66 years.

Mike was a self-made man who lived life on his own terms. His early career, after the Navy, included managing a service station at age 22. By the time he was 23, he and Kathy had three kids and owned their own home. He found his niche when he went to work for Goodyear in 1965, where he worked in various positions for eleven years. While employed there he recognized an under-tapped market for farm tire service. In 1976, he put together a plan and began collecting tools, tires and equipment, transforming a '68 F250 into an on-the-farm service truck, creating his first business, Becker Tire. In the first weeks he traveled from farm to farm advertising his services. There were skeptics who questioned how he could ever support his family with this scheme, but by the end of the first season he had more business than he could handle. This business transformed over the years into a service station and tire store in Fulton and later a gas station and convenience store, Becker Shell, in Vicksburg.

One of Mike's dreams was owning land. He and Kathy and the kids bought a farmhouse and 73 acres west of Fulton in 1973 where he lived from that time on. This has been the site of hundreds of gatherings and celebrations over the last 53 years. Most Thursday nights for the last 28 years they hosted a fun casual family dinner. Some other dreams that Mike realized over the years were getting his private pilot’s license (including an instrument rating) and buying a home in Fort Myers Beach, FL where he and Kathy spent winters and their kids and grandkids often visited.

Mike had a great sense of humor and a unique perspective. On Christmas Eves, he would play Santa for the grandkids and extended family and would have the adults rolling with his ad-lib banter about the reindeer union, problems with Mrs. Claus and the like. On a community level, he contributed by serving in the Vicksburg Rotary for 25 years (being awarded the Paul Harris Fellow) and serving as president of the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation. Some of his other hobbies and interests included woodworking, machining, sailing, birds (he had a knack for attracting dozens of hummingbirds) and trees (planting a walnut grove on the east side of the house).

Mike is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughter Terri Ferus, his sons Jeff Becker and Michael (Denise) Becker; grandchildren Samantha (Travis) Johncock, Ross Becker, Hayley Ferus, Molly Ferus, Luke Becker and Matt (Lyndsey) Becker; great-grandchildren Travis Becker, Cole Johncock and Drew Johncock; step-grandchildren Trisha (Tim) Gabbard, Tonya (Mike) Byers, Tammy Smith and Tennille (Ben) Carr; honorary granddaughter Lyndsay Ureel; brother David (Jan) Becker.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lynn (Gary) Studebaker, and beloved son-in-law Jerry Ferus.

Visitation will be held on Saturday October 17 at Saint Andrew Community Church, 3631 Covington Rd, Kalamazoo at 11:00 am with a 12:00 pm service. There will be a reception following at Mike and Kathy’s home.

Donations can be made to Saint Andrew Community Church (PO Box 2893, Kalamazoo, MI 49003) or to South County Community Services (PO Box 263, Vicksburg, MI 49097).

While visiting Mike's webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The Becker family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 S. Main Street Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697).