Eugene W. Becker

A memorial service was held for Eugene W. Becker at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Tyler Aug. 20 with Pastor Art Hill officiating. Burial was at the Cathedral of the Pines Cemetery under the direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home, Tyler.

Becker was born on Feb. 17, 1920 at Tigerton, Wis., baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Tigerton, and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bowler, Wis. He was the son of the late William F. Becker and Ella M. (nee Baum) Becker, who later moved to Bowler, Wis., before moving to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in 1935, where Eugene graduated from high school. He attended Shreiner Junior College in Kerrville, graduating with a degree in economics.

In September of 1940, he went to work for Magnolia Petroleum Co. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1942 and was assigned to the Medical Department. His last assignment was master sergeant, 1426th S.C. Headquarters, Northington General Hospital, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and received an honorable discharge on Jan. 25, 1946. He then served in the Army Reserves from January 1946 to January 1949.

He worked with Magnolia/Mobil until 1980 and, upon retirement, moved to Whitehouse. Mr. Becker was instrumental as a charter member of three Lutheran missions in Texas from 1940- 50, serving as treasurer of the three missions in Alice, Monahans and Kermit. He was married to Mary Louise Guenther on April 7, 1943, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Alamo.

He is survived by his wife of Pittsburg; brother, Randolph A. Becker of Rogers, Ark.; daughter, Gerrye Williams of Pittsburg; grandchildren, Karen A. Smith, Dauphne Menefee, LeAnne Fakir, Laurel Renger, Ryan McKeel; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ethel M. McKeel, and sister, Audrey M. Kelch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Hunter St., Tyler, 75701.