Edward Peter Becker; Residential Builder

Edward Peter Becker, a Thousand Oaks housing developer who built thousands of homes throughout the nation during a 40-year career, died at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Woodland Hills Tuesday. He was 71.

“We estimated [he built] somewhere in the neighborhood of 12,000 units in nine different states,” said his son, Barry Becker of Simi Valley. “He was well respected in the industry.”

Born in Los Angeles on March 26, 1924, Becker attended Loyola Marymount University before joining the Army and serving in Europe during World War II. After his military service, he attended the University of Southern California and became a carpenter with Local 1976 in Boyle Heights.

Becker began his career in the mid-1950s, putting up homes for various companies, including his own. He lived in North Hollywood for 27 years before moving to Thousand Oaks in 1977.

“He really was a true native Californian who never strayed far from his Hollywood roots,” Barry Becker said.

Becker built homes in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark, becoming a mentor for his sons, who both became developers, as well as others, Barry Becker said. He gave his sons their start in the industry and later worked for them for four years. He retired in 1993 as vice president of the family-owned Becker Development Co. Inc.

Politics was an abiding interest of his for half a century.

“He loved to discuss it, he loved to debate it, he was always there for the underdog,” his son said.

Becker is survived by his wife of 48 years, Miriam Becker of Thousand Oaks; daughters Carla P. Becker of Santa Monica and Sandy W. Becker of West Los Angeles; son and daughter-in-law Patricia and Barry Becker of Simi Valley; four granddaughters and one grandson; and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are being made by Sunset Plan in Westlake Village.