Jim Becker

Jimmy "Jim" Jay Becker, 81, of McPherson, KS, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, surrounded by family at Brookdale-McPherson. 

Jim was born on June 11, 1945, in McPherson, KS to Jesse and Frieda Becker. He was raised on a farm in Roxbury, KS and attended grade school and high school in Roxbury. After graduating high school in 1963, he attended Brown Mackie College in Salina, KS. It was there that he met Linda Rivett, and they were married on March 20, 1965. This union produced three daughters and one son – Joelle, Julie, Jill and Jeff. Jim and Linda were married for 23 years until her untimely death in 1988.

Until his retirement in 2007, Jim spent his career working in the parts department at various car dealerships, earning the title of Parts Manager. During those early years when he was raising his family, he not only worked a full-time job but he also worked four part-time jobs to make sure his family had everything they needed. He never complained about working so much and simply considered it his responsibility as a husband and father. Even though Jim worked so many jobs, he always had time for his children and would often spend weekends taking them camping, fishing, target practicing, playing board games, sledding, ice-skating etc. The words “I love you” weren’t often said to his children, but his actions always showed his love for them.

In 1989, God blessed Jim with another chance at love when he met Charlotte Dahlsten. After dating for five years, they were married on May 8, 1993. From this marriage, Jim gained another son and daughter, John and Michelle. Charlotte was Jim’s true love and soul mate, and they spent the next 33 years of marriage traveling, going to country western concerts, learning to square dance, camping and doing many more things that they both enjoyed. Their marriage was a perfect example to all of their children on what a marriage built on love, faith and honoring God should be like.

Jim always put the Lord first in his life followed by being a loving, kind, caring and devoted husband. He always showed his children and grandchildren love, kindness and patience. Jim set the bar high by his example on what a man should be.

Jim was never one to sit still and have idle hands so after retirement, he started his own lawn mowing and snow removal business and always went the extra mile for his clients. At 80 years old, he could run circles around his sons, sons-in-law and grandsons. He always had the extra energy to help anyone out who needed it.

Jim had a love for woodworking and his talent was impeccable. His beautiful creations included bookcases, music boxes, toy boxes, airplanes, shelves, a wooden Christmas tree and many birdhouses, including two that were a replica of his childhood church and his childhood home in Roxbury. His children and grandchildren have many of these pieces in their homes today, and they are among their most cherished possessions.

Jim's faith was unwavering during his fight with cancer. During his many hospital stays, he would often tell the doctors, “I’m not afraid to die. I know where I’m going.”

Jim loved his Lord and Savior and had read the whole bible fourteen times at last count. He could quote scripture and tried to please the Lord in everything he did.

When Jim's family would discuss with him what he wanted his funeral to be like he would say, “I don’t want it to be about me. I want it to be about Him. I want everyone who attends to listen to the message of Him and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior so they can be in heaven one day”. That is the type of man Jim was…..always thinking of others and not himself.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Frieda Becker, his sister, Shirley Ade, his brother, Ronnie Becker, and grandson, Jordan Krell.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Becker; his children, Joelle Maxwell (Scott), Salina KS; Julie Krell (Jerry), McPherson KS; Jeff Becker, McPherson KS; Jill Becker, Wichita KS; John Dahlsten (Wende), Reno NV and Michelle Kratofil (David), Kansas City MO; his grandchildren, Lindsey Haworth (Ryan), Salina KS; Andrew Maxwell (LeAnna), Overland Park, KS; Jerrica Krell, McPherson, KS; Ava Brunsell, Albuquerque, NM; Alex Kratofil, Kansas City, MO; and Aaron Kratofil, Kansas City, MO; and great-grandchildren, Liam and Rowan Haworth, Salina KS and Brynleigh Grahn, McPherson KS. He is also survived by nephews and nieces. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Countryside Covenant Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. To view a live stream broadcast of the service, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Memorial donations are suggested to Countryside Covenant Church Benevolent Fund in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.