Roll Call Tribute

James William Becker
January 17, 1947 - May 30, 2021

James “Jim” William Becker, of La Grange, Texas, passed away on May 30, 2021 in Austin, Texas surrounded by his family.

He was born on January 17, 1947 to Joseph Anthony Becker and Winifred Nora (Hogan) Becker in Kansas City, Missouri. He moved to Houston in 1951, affectionately called the “Armpit of Texas” by his father. On May 25, 1974, he married the love of his life, Carol Renn.

Jim worked in the pipeline supply business in Houston, Texas for many years. He attended St. Vincent De Paul Grade School, St. Thomas High School, and Texas A&M University, graduating in 1969. Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from August 12, 1969 to 1975. Jim and Carol retired in La Grange, Texas permanently in 2013 and became members of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn.

Jim got his affinity for German beer, Irish music and Notre Dame football from his parents. He loved a good time, which usually involved cold beer, college football, and his friends and family around him. He was a history buff and could get lost in the artifacts at any museum, causing his family some particular heartburn on a trip to the Linderhof Palace in Bavaria! Movies were another great form of entertainment and his taste ran the full spectrum of genres from The Quiet Man every St. Patrick’s Day and Yankee Doodle Dandy with America’s sweetheart, Joan Leslie, to The Big Lebowski whenever the mood struck him. He was a witty storyteller and an excellent Bloody Mary and Cosmopolitan maker. He enjoyed playing golf and even managed a hole-in-one at Fair Oaks Country Club, resulting in some shock and much celebration. Jim and his family developed a tradition of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade together every year, venturing to New York City in 2007 to witness it in person. He was a staunch grammarian – even teaching his grandchildren to eliminate the word “like” from their vocabulary, unless used by the classic definition, of course. He was a chair napper and a Wheel [of Fortune] watcher. He competed in every Jeopardy episode, winning often in the comfort of his living room. He had many titles, but his most treasured were Son, Brother, Husband, Dad and Grandpa.

Left with years of happy memories are his wife of forty-seven years, Carol Renn Becker; daughters Amy Barelas and husband Joseph and Caroline McRoberts and husband Kyle; sons Daniel Becker and wife Alex and James Robert Becker and wife Kristy; sister Marilyn Meier and husband George; brothers Bob Becker and wife Kathryn and Don Becker and wife Elaine; grandchildren Emma Becker, Nora Becker, Isabelle Becker, Samantha Becker and Dylan Barelas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Becker and Winifred Becker; sister Barbara Pollard; brother and sister-in-law Joe and Joyce Becker.

A rosary followed by a funeral mass will be held at 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM respectively, on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn, 936 FM 2436, La Grange, Texas, 78945. Father Bob Knippenberg and Father Jim Murphy will officiate. Inurnment will take place in Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Hostyn, Texas.

The family invites you to a celebration of Jim’s life directly following at the indoor and outdoor pavilions onsite. Please wear Texas A&M or Notre Dame colors to give a nod to Jim’s favorite football teams and join the family for a toast to their Champion of Gatherings, Jim Becker. The family will serve beer, wine and food and play some of Jim’s favorite tunes. Jim’s family looks forward to sharing stories together.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to the St. Thomas High School scholarship fund, 4500 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77007 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. To share a memory or a photo of Jim or send a condolence to his family please follow the link on the website.

© Henneke Funeral Home