Randall Becker

Randall F. Becker, 60, of Leawood, KS, died Wednesday March 28, 2012 at his home from complications of a brain tumor diagnosed in December. Randy was an award-winning newspaper journalist and video writer/producer. He demanded much from his colleagues but never more than he demanded of himself. He was funny and creative, reliable and responsible, someone who could laugh at himself and the world around him but someone who cared about other people and their feelings, too. He and his wife Judie Black Becker were partners in Black & Becker Productions. Randy was a 1969 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School. He graduated with distinction with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 1973 where he was named a Hilltopper. He then received a master's degree in journalism in 1975 from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and worked at newspapers in Davenport, IA, and Milwaukee before returning to Kansas. He loved sports whether he was playing, watching or coaching. For many years he helped coach his son's basketball and baseball teams and enjoyed learning the finer points of the games from professional coaches and other parents. Randy was an avid Jayhawk fan who was eagerly looking forward to another national basketball championship this season. Randy was born April 4, 1951 in Kansas City to R. Fred and Bonnie Becker, who preceded him in death. He leaves his wife Judie of 34 years whom he met as a summer intern at The Hutchinson News in 1972; his son Jim Becker, a sophomore at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles; his sister Sherrilyn Becker Perez of Overland Park; a niece Nicole Perez in Abu Dhabi, UAE; his sister-in-law Susan Black of Overland Park; his aunt Dixie Hoffman of Quincy, IL, her four children and their families; his aunt Patsy Diehl of Lee's Summit, her two children and their families; his aunt Maxine Mefford of Blue Springs, her two daughters and their families; his aunt Marion Becker of Long Beach, CA, her four children and their families plus cousins Trudy Peterson of Overland Park, Carol Maisch of Lenexa, and Tom Becker of Millbrook, AL, among others around the country. The family thanks the many devoted nurses who cared for Randy the past three months at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and at home, with special gratitude to his home health nurse Sheryl Zimmerman of Interim Health Care. Sheryl cared for him with great kindness and compassion and became a trusted, valued friend. Donations may be made in Randy's memory to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, the Foundation for Shawnee Mission Medical Center or the Becker Family Scholarship for Future Nurses through the Blue Valley Educational Foundation. Cremation with private graveside services. Randy's family and his many friends and colleagues are welcome to visit at his home from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday March 31. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com. (Arr.: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210, (913) 451- 1860)

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=randall-f-becker&pid=156765726#storylink=cpy

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