Howard Carl Becker

Becker, Howard Carl
Jan 10, 1916 - May 23, 2009
Formerly of Omaha. Passed away peacefully at Sunrise of Lenexa in the loving presence of his family. Howard was born in Alma, MO. At age 19, he left the farm to attend Missouri Valley College in Marshall on borrowed money, where he played basketball and tennis. He transferred to the University of Missouri in Columbia to pursue his career and met the love of his life and future bride of 63 years, Lillian Mullins, on a blind date. Lillian preceded him in death in 2004. They were married December 29, 1940, after he received a degree in cereal chemistry and landed his first job with Nebraska Consolidated Mills in Grand Island, NE. On December 7th the following year they knew their lives were changed forever. Howard attended officers' training at Harvard University and served his country with the United States Navy in the South Pacific. After the war, Howard returned to Nebraska Consolidated Mills, moving to Omaha as a chemist in the test laboratory and eventually into management, sales, and at his retirement after over 40 years, Vice President of Quality Control, for the company now known as Con-Agra. He was past-president of the American Association of Cereal Chemists. Howard and Lillian resided in Omaha over 60 years and raised three children, Judy, Janet, and Keith. The family was active at Pearl Methodist Church. Howard was a man greatly respected for his principles, honesty, and integrity, setting an example for his family and future generations. He had a keen sense of dry humor and enjoyed and endeared himself to people all his life. He was an avid golfer known for his killer short game, and his love for the game continued, playing his final round only 3 days before his death. Howard loved his family very much and is survived by daughters Judy (Gary) Russell and Janet (David) Wright of Lenexa, KS; and son Keith (Carolyn) of Galveston, TX; grandchildren Boyd (Michelle) Shearon, Victoria (David) Goff, Matthew Becker, Cassi (Pat) Ross, and Kindra Becker; great-grandchildren Chloe, Mia, and Liam Shearon; Porter and Declan Goff; Joshua and Cody Ross; and Alexander Carl Becker. Howard will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family wishes to expressly thank the personnel at Sunrise Assisted Living of Lenexa for their tender love and care.
The family will gather in DeWitt, MO for private services to celebrate his life.