02/20/2023
I’m writing this post with a heavy heart. Simi Valley lost the second half of the iconic Becker Christmas House on Sycamore Drive. John Becker passed Sunday, February 12, 2023, four months shy of his 88th birthday.
Mr. Becker was a structural engineer for Rocketdyne, a division of Rockwell International, which later became Boeing, from where he retired after 50 years of employment. He was a creative man and working in engineering gave him the design skills and ability to create his holiday displays with moving animation and figures.
Some had thought the Beckers did the lavish display in honor or a child they lost, but both of their children are alive and well, along with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
John and Phyllis were an amazing, creative couple who wanted to bring joy to others and spent many months preparing and days setting up and decorating their home at Christmas, and smaller displays at Halloween and Easter. Phyllis, would dream it up, and John would build it - they were quite a team. John never worked for Disney amid rumors, however when they were first married Phyllis had been offered a job at Disney. The Becker’s were ahead of their time, starting their holiday display in 1964 and continuing for 50 years through 2014, the year Phyllis passed.
John and Phyllis met cruising on Van Nuys Boulevard in the late 1950’s and were married 56 years.
John had many long time friends and neighbors. He was a man who would help anyone in need, was kind, giving and put others before himself. He was fortunate to meet later in life a lovely woman, Cindy, who was his girlfriend and companion and they spent time enjoying retirement.
I know I, as many other long time Simi Valley residents and others who would travel here to see the house, will always remember the Becker Christmas House and the two amazing people who put this all together for our enjoyment. What a blessing they were to the Simi Valley community.
Post by Crystal Duymich Gavid, neighbor and life-long friend of the Becker Family.
