James Louis Becnel passed away July 3, 2021. He was born in Kenner, LA, to Louis Joseph Becnel and Hattie Lee (Benefield) Becnel on November 21, 1930. He graduated from Kenner High School in Kenner, LA, in 1948. Immediately after high school, he joined the United States Army. Following US Army Basic Training, Jim was trained in Cryptographic Communications and sent to Stuttgart, Germany where he served, until he was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1952.

After his service in the military, Jim enrolled at Louisiana State University and subsequently graduated with a BS in Geology in 1955. Jim began his career briefly as paleologist and petroleum well site mudlogging geologist before starting work for Phillips Petroleum in Lafayette, LA, as a Petroleum Exploration Geologist in February 1956. It was in that office where he met his future wife and married on December 19, 1956. Their son (Dan), and daughter (Ann) were born in Lafayette, LA, and they moved Houston in 1973. Jim retired from Phillips Petroleum in December 1987, after 31+ years.

Jim was active in many organizations throughout his career that included: Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lafayette; Lafayette Optimist Club (Secretary & Treasurer, 1970-72); Lafayette Geological Society President,1972; Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts of Lafayette; Society of Independent Earth Scientists; Houston Geological Society (15 active years); American Association of Petroleum Geologists (25 active years) & awarded AAPG Gerald A. Cooley Award in 2003. Leisure activities he enjoyed were gardening, travel, chess, and photography.

Jim loved God, family and country and was proceeded in death by his parents Louis Joseph & Hattie Lee Becnel. He is survived by his wife of 64+ years: Melva Geraldine (White) Becnel; Three sisters: Leola Jane Hanby, Alcyone Adele Wheatley & Nelda Louise Lybrand; Two children: Daniel James Becnel (& wife, Virginia Kebodeaux Becnel) and Cynthia Ann (Becnel) Kent (& husband, Morse Bernard Kent, Jr.); Four grandchildren: Amber Loraine (Becnel) Cummings, Lilith June Becnel, Jennifer Elise Kent & Sarah Elizabeth (Kent) Gron (& husband, Patrick John Gron); One great grandchild: Alice Elizabeth Cummings.