Becker, James J., On August 22, 1938, the world got a little brighter. James J. Becker was born and raised in South St. Louis, MO by his father, James J. Becker and his mother, Dorothea Becker. As a young boy, when he wasn’t playing ball or riding bikes outside his cherished childhood home on Sidney Street, he was playing the piano. As he grew older, he continued teaching himself and became one of the most loved jazz musicians in all of St. Louis.
He was a student at St. Agnes grade school and went on to St. Mary’s High School. During his high school years, he played the tuba in the marching band (secretly played the xylophone) and played in jazz trios around town as the man with the magic hands on the 88 keys.
His musical career was one for the books. In the fifties and sixties, he headlined at The Playboy Club (where the bunnies danced on his piano – he wasn’t fond of that, thought they would hurt the baby grand), The Jim Becker Trio was the house band for years at The Black Horse in historic Gaslight Square and he gigged at The Fallen Angel, where he met his beloved wife, Judy, of 57 years, on a blind date.
From the 1970s to the early 2000s, you would find him playing everyone’s favorite jazz and blues standards all over town, from The Mayfair Hotel to LoRusso’s Cucina and nearly hundreds of places in between. His was a longtime member of the Musician’s Association of St. Louis and received the lifetime achievement award for his dedication to his craft and the St. Louis music scene.
Jim and Judy raised their three kids, Lisa, James and Amy in South St. Louis where they were all active members of Holy Family Parish and School. He even coached CYC softball with early morning practices after late-night gigs.
Jim was the proud grandpa of six grandchildren, Jessica, Nicholas, Alex, Olivia, Noah and Hannah and a beaming great-grandpa to Sophia, Trace and Cruz. His family was his life and never wanted much more than to spend time with them, telling corny jokes and stories of his childhood.
As an avid history buff, Jim loved traveling the country with Judy. Proof is in the dozens of photo albums filled with memories from every small town, big city, tiny island and U.S. landmark.
In his “retirement” years, he graced the halls of Ladue High School as part of their administrative staff. The students adored “Jimbo” and he continued to get letters from students thanking him for being a mentor and friend to them during their time in high school.
For the last six years, Jim and Judy were active volunteers at St. Anthony’s food pantry in south St. Louis. He was a devoted human being who truly wanted to help others in any way he could.
On June 2, 2020, the world became a bit dimmer for his family, friends, bandmates, neighbors and anyone else who was blessed enough to say they knew him.
Jim Becker, musician, songwriter, veracious reader, history buff, coin collector, gardener, devoted husband, tireless father, loving brother, doting grandpa and gentle soul. This world will miss him. May he rest in peace with his parents and brother in the open arms of the Holy Family.
Services: A Celebration of Life is being planned for later in the summer. Details to follow.
Well there is nothing I can say that was not already said . That was so solid and what a solid man and human being . Clearly the world was better because of Jim being a part of all our lives , and many who didn’t know him , like me . I just knew of things later on Facebook and the rumors of a legend , I knew Amy and Jimmy and sorry for loss. Later Judy would post some piano solos on FB and I felt obligated to listen and I was always glad he did post him again playing he clearly enjoyed . Mrs Becker I am truly sorry , play me a song piano man, thanks for sharing and God Bless you and your family . Truly sorry please let me know like to be there in his honor , Peace
I only met Jim once, but felt I knew him through Amy. Such a funny, sweet, talented, loving husband, father and grandfather. Jim is surely entertaining the angels! He will be so missed.
The world did get a little brighter!
Beautifully said…
May he rest in Peace
What a wonderful man.
I knew him to be a very active busy man with family and work! Thank you Amy for sharing your family funnies I will never forget how he made me laugh! My deepest condolences to all of you. In my prayers always!
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I WAS A CKLASSMATE OF JIM’S AT
ST. MARY;S HIGH SCHOOL. GRADUATING IN 10556.
Amy, Michelle and I have loved getting to know Jim and your beautiful mother through your hilarious Facebook posts and videos. Thank you for lighting up our lives by sharing them with us. You have our deepest sympathy for your loss.
I’ll always pray for my good friends, Jim and Judy Becker and their family, love you!!!
My heart breaks to know Jim is gone. I teach at Ladue, reached into our video archives, and remembered our students had produced a couple of videos about “Jimbo.” May he rest in peace.
The two lives of Jim Becker
https://www.schooltube.com/media/The+two+lives+of+Jim+Becker/1_belaoz3f
Lost member of the Rat Pack? (parody)
https://www.schooltube.com/media/Lost+member+of+the+Rat+PackF/1_12c7kgyc
Jimmy was such a talented individual and I was honored to be one of his friends and played many gigs with him…RIP Sir.
I am so sad to learn of the passing of Jim Becker. I have such fond memories of Jim and Judy reaching back to the late 50’s at the Fallen Angel and then the Gaslight Square days with the Jim Becker trio and Jeanne Trevor. Jim always had a great disposition and a smile that was contagious. Jim and I decided to drive to Chicago after playing a gig at Luigi’s to hear the Three Sounds with Nancy Wilson at the London House. Somehow we got back home with nearly no sleep. My sincere condolences to Judy and family and may he rest in peace.
He was wonderful! Always so gentle, kind, and funny. Farewell my friend until we meet again!
From the song Vincent “This world was not meant for someone as beautiful as you”. Don Maclean
I first met Jim in 1956. Jim, my next door neighbor Judy, and a group of friends went on the Admiral together. One year later I started dating Dick Zelle also a neighbor and former elementary schoolmate at SS. Mary & Joseph School in the Carondelet neighborhood. Dick would go on the be my husband, father of our four children , grandfather & great grandfather. When Dick & I started dating Dick invited me to go with him to a jam session at a neighborhood bar called Mr. Tars. Who would be sitting at the piano but Jim Becker. That night started for me a lifelong friendship with Jim and eventually Judy Becker. Jim as well as Gale & Paul Belobradjic were all in our wedding in 1959. Jim was surely a St. Louis icon on the piano but more that that one of the nicest, funny, sweetest people I know. Rest in peace dear friend, you will be missed! My prayers go out to Judy and all the Becker family. The world was a better place with Jim Becker in it!!
Very proud to have the privilege to call him my “cuz”. Loved listening to the duets with him & Amy. We’ve lost a wonderful guy, but heaven has gained a new angel. Our love and sympathy go to Judy and to Jim’s family. We will miss you “cuz”.
Jim Becker was one of most kind and considerate people I have ever met – he played piano in my dining room for 16 years and everybody so appreciated his talents – his lovely wife Judy and Children meant so much to this man – I’m sorry they had to lose him – with all the love I have to give, I prayer for peace and comfort for the family
I was singing with him at LoRusso’s when we rang in the New Year in 2000. What a gentle soul. Some of my fondest memories include his piano accompaniments. I pray for peace and comfort for the family.
I am sick. Is this the man that played every song I requested? I only stumped him one time with a song from the 1980s, which he said if I liked, he would look up. He asked me once, Where did you come from?” Because I love old, beautiful songs. He could play anything. He was like the Paul Shaffer of St. Louis. I would request songs (with no money by the way) and he would say I haven’t thought of that in years, and then proceed to play it beautifully. I would go to LoRusso’s (my Mom’s cousin’s restaurant) with my ex-boyfriend just to have coffee and dessert to hear him play. I told him one time if he weren’t married and we were a little closer in age, I would run away with him and marry him and be happy every day listening to the beautiful music. He laughed. He will be missed. I used to carry his name and number on a slip of paper in my wallet–I guess I had a musical crush on him–he was so sweet. I thought he was really terrific.
Jim and Judy lived around the corner and up the block from us for many years and we saw them many times in the early years. What a wonderful man. I do recall seeing him at LoRussos as well and enjoyed his music. Always wished I had kept up with the piano when I saw him play. The world is a little sadder place for him no longer with us. In prayer for the whole family.