James Becker

James M. Becker NORFOLK - The Rev. Dr. James Monroe Becker, 65, died Aug. 29, 2008, in Norfolk. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Fred "Beck" and Jeanne Becker. He was raised primarily in Falls Church, Va. Dr. Becker graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1966, received a divinity degree from Union Seminary in New York in 1969, and earned both masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina in history, in 1972 and 1981 respectively. He served as a pastor in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. Although he served churches throughout Virginia, he primarily served in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater areas. After his retirement, he continued to be active in the church and the conference and he continued to teach at Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College. While in Northern Virginia, Jim volunteered with the Institute of Industrial and Commercial Ministries, serving as a chaplain in that program with the Fairfax County Police Department and in a number of programs in the Tidewater area. Prior to his death, he was writing a book regarding Norfolk politics at the turn of the 20th century. Jim acted on his commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ in many other ways as well. He volunteered in southwest Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement, he was active in politics and he opposed the Vietnam War. He continued to be committed to peacemaking and to be an advocate for those who suffered. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Phil. He is survived by his niece, Mary Jeanne Becker of Memphis, Tenn. A celebration of his life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 124 W. Freemason St., Norfolk. The family requests that any memorial contributions be given to the Wesley Foundation Inc. of the Virginia United Methodist Conference. Checks should be made payable to The Virginia Annual Conference with notation for Wesley Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1719, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Cox Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered to the family through www.dmvobits.com/cox.