Becicka, Jim E. 'Catfish'

Jim E. “Catfish” Becicka, 46, of rural Oxford, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. Services remembering Jim will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at St. Mary's Auditorium in Oxford. Burial will take place in the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Auditorium in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Jim was born Feb. 8, 1967, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Jim L. Becicka and Shirley (Homme) Becicka. The family lived near Oxford, where Jim attended schools, graduating from Clear Creek High School in 1985. Following high school he joined the Iowa National Guard and served over the next six years.

Farming has always been in Jim's blood; he continued to farm and also worked for Centro for a number of years. He married Denise Aegerter O'Neil on Oct. 4, 2003. Jim was born to be outside; he loved his farming, hunting, fishing, his horses, four wheeling, and turtling. Jim and Denise belonged to bowling leagues over the years, which they so enjoyed with their friends. And as Jim's kids were growing up, he was proud to be their dad and coach them in baseball and softball there in Oxford!

His family includes his wife, Denise; children, Brianna Becicka of Iowa City, Brandon Becicka of North Liberty and Kameron O'Neil of Iowa City; Jim's father, Jim Becicka of Oxford; Jim's mother, Shirley Becicka of Oxford; his brother, Steven Becicka of Oxford; and a special cousin, Corey Pegump of Oxford.

Gay & Ciha Funeral Service is caring for Jim's family and his services.

Published Nov. 7, 2013 in The Gazette