Thomas John "Captain Tom" Becker

The sun has set on the most wonderful man we know, Thomas John “Captain Tom” Becker. Father, Husband, Friend, USAF MSgt Retired Serviceman, 20 year President of Mississippi Charter Boat Captains Association, Past President and Board Member of NACO (National Association of Charterboat Operators), and as everyone knew him, "Skipper", entered Eternal Life Tuesday afternoon, August 21, 2018, in Jackson, MS. He had been in the care of the VA Home in Collins, MS, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and was air-lifted to Merrick Hospital in Jackson, MS. They did everything they could...but sudden, un-expected, and much too soon for us, our Father above called him home. He is no longer suffering from a debilitating stroke that complicated and worsened his already advanced stage of dementia, we know this, and without our faith in Christ Jesus, would simply not be able to feel the peace that only God can provide. Tom was born July 1, 1941 in Milwaukee, WI to Frank J. and Elma V. Becker. Tom, along with his three siblings, older sister Rita, younger brothers Frank and Mike, eventually moved to Provo, Utah, where Tom graduated High School and then joined the United States Air Force. He served our country from June 2nd, 1959 until June 30th, 1985 as a Radio Relay Equipment Specialist and during that time was stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB, WY, Sheppard AFB, TX, Kindley AFB, Bermuda, Binh Thuy AB, Vietnam, and finally Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS. During those years, he met and wed his first wife, Bonnie J. Durham of Houston, TX, and had four children, Frank David, Tina Marie, Linda Lee, and Dianna Lynn. After falling in love with the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he retired from the Air Force in 1985 and began living the life of a proud and energetic Charter Boat Captain. He bought his first boat, "Skipper" and quickly engulfed himself into the Charterboat industry, working tirelessly to further the efforts of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO). Everyone he met along the way was an instant friend, and he served in every capacity that he could. He became a member of NACO in the early 90's and was elected to the Board shortly afterwards. In 1993 he met his wife Diane G. Robertson on board the “Skipper”, and in December that year, they married. She has two children, Chad Runnels, and Reshana Bennett, both from Magee, MS. Together they started T&D Charters and further expanded the quest to protect and grow the Charter Fleet industry for the entire Gulf Coast. He continued to stay on the Board of NACO, serving on several NACO Committees, as Vice President, and President during his time, while simultaneously serving as president of the Mississippi Charter Boat Captain’s Association for 20 years and remained active until he had his stroke at the beginning of this year, at which time, he sadly chose to resign. Tom was a tireless worker, both in his Charter business and his efforts to move NACO forward and to provide regulatory relief for all charter boat owners and operators across the country. His efforts and ideas have helped the NACO Board work to gain legislative and regulatory relief while helping to improve and secure new member benefits. In all of his years serving on the Board, he only missed 'one' meeting...shortly after his stroke. Tom helped guide NACO, the MS Charter Boat Captains Association, the fishing industry, and most importantly, the people of the Gulf Coast, through both the devastating hurricane Katrina, and then the BP Oil Spill. He represented NACO on a Gulf of Mexico U.S. Coast Guard Committee and helped keep access for charter fishermen around offshore oil platforms and worked to include the Gulf charter fleet in Homeland security issues to add an extra source to secure our shores. He worked directly with the US Coast Guard to protect and prevent damage to hundreds of boats, both privately owned and commercially operated, by moving and strategically placing them in locations out of harm's way before the direct impact of all of the devastating Hurricanes that crippled the Gulf Coast. Of all the damage documented in pictures and videos, void of them are the vessels that he protected in any trees or anywhere else...all at the risk of his own safety many times. These actions helped save many, many millions of dollars of the community's economy. After Hurricane Katrina, he had to completely rebuild his own home, all the while being a vocal advocate and supporter to help rebuild the entire economy in the area, just as he did after the BP Oil spill that also crippled the economy for a very long time. Tom is preceded in death by his cherished parents, Frank J. and Elma V. Becker; brother, Frank Becker; and grandsons, Christopher Webb and Johnathan Becker. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Diane G. Becker; children, Frank Becker (Sabrina), Tina Gilleland, Linda Martin (Todd), Dianna Sheppard (Ron), Chad Runnels, and Reshana Bennett (Jeff); 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Rita Krutz and Mike Becker (Sue). Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2018 with a 10:00 am Funeral Service on Monday, August 27, 2018, all at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Pallbearers are Frank Becker, James “Jimmy” Park, Frank Becker II, Drake Runnels, Jeff Bennett, and Chris Trochesset. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Joppa Shriner's, 13280 Shriners Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39532, are encouraged. Miss Me - But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little - but not too long and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. Miss Me - But Let Me Go. For this journey that we all must take and each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan a step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart go to the friends we know, and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me - But Let Me Go. -Author Unknown-