John Thomas Becker

He was born in Dayton, OH on June 2, 1931 to the late Louis and Mary Kae Becker. Dr. Becker dedicated a majority of his professional life to academia, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Dayton and his Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Education from The Catholic University of America. In addition to tirelessly dedicating himself to higher education, Dr. Becker served in the United States Army and Reserves until his honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1962.

Dr. Becker spent the majority of his academic career as a professor at his beloved John Carroll University, including time as the Chair of the Department of Psychology. His unwavering dedication to higher education and the University was recognized with his receipt of The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Distinguished Educator Award in 1976.

Following his retirement from the University in 1980, Dr. Becker, along with his cherished wife Stanli and their five children, authored “All Blood is Red; All Shadows are Dark!”, a book in which they reject artificial racial classifications and share their experiences living in a multiracial household.

Dr. Becker spent the balance of his days continuing his intellectual and spiritual pursuits, painting, teaching the visually impaired how to sail on Lake Erie and spending time with his children and grandchildren, upon whom he left an indelible mark.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Stanli Kay Becker, his son Meredith Donald Becker, his brother Robert E. Becker, and his sister Mary Lou Heckman.

Tom is survived by his daughters, Montieth (Monti) Becker Kelly and Marquita Michelle Becker; his sons Martin Mitchell Becker and Malcolm McDermott Becker. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Meghan Lane, Andrew Mitchell, and Sarah Becker Kelly, Zoe Elise and Miles Jonathan Becker, Logan Jarvis and Lauren Kay Becker, Kayla and Leigha Lawerence.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Key West, FL.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stanli K. Becker Scholarship, Cuyahoga Community College, 700 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, with checks written to the Tri-C Foundation and marked in her honor. Online donations may be made at www.tri-c.edu/donate.