Robert Joseph Becker

Robert Joseph Becker, 81, of Fort Smith, passed from this life October 30, 2015 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born November 17, 1933, in Hartman, Arkansas, to the late Frederick John and Rose Marie Elser Becker. Bob was the co-owner, with two trusted partners and friends, August Khilling and Raymond Edmunson, of Electric Motor Center and Becko Machine Shop in Fort Smith and Electric Motor Center in Springdale, Arkansas.

He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and gardening with his nephew Billy Bartley. He was an active member of the Lavaca Beagle Club. Bob loved all sports, especially football. He played professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs minor league team for two years. He had been a fireman with Fort Smith Fire Department for several years and was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

He is survived by his wife, Violet; his daughter, Robin Morse and her husband Alan; his granddaughter, Megan Turner and her husband Josh; two great grandchildren, Cadynce and Chanson Turner; a step-daughter, Tina Smith and her husband Don; a step-son, Jeff Essman, as well as four step-grandchildren, Jaclyn and Will Freeze and Sheradon and Lexie Smith. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Eugene, Herbert, Mitch, John and George Becker and two sisters, Margaret Ann Bartley and Dorothy Szczerba. He was loved by many nieces and nephews and a mountain of friends that will miss him dearly.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Christ the King Catholic Church, with burial following at U.S. National Cemetery with Navy honors. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 6:00pm Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Christ the King Catholic Church with rosary to follow at 6:00pm. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Konert, Zachery Bartley, Steve Goebel, Chad Nolen, Josh Turner and Steve Marts. Honorary pallbearers will be Sherman Shelby, Ray and Shawn Firestein, Jerry Johnson, Mark Goebel, George Kramer, Michael Becker and John Szczerba.

The family would like to extend thanks for all the care provided to Bob by the medical staff at Washington Regional Medical Center.

Memorials may be made to Christ the King Catholic School, 1918 South Greenwood Avenue, Fort Smith Arkansas 72901.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.