It is with great sadness that the family of Berrien Becks, Sr. announces his passing on December 15, 2018.  Berrien was born prior to The Great Depression in the heart of Daytona Beach to Robert Becks and Effie Becks (Clifton) on November 25, 1925.  He was a true native, his mother's family settled in Florida in the mid 1800's and she was born in West Volusia in 1886.  His upbringing was very poor and the depression instilled in him the conservative ways for which he was well known.

He had a true depression era upbringing.  At a young age he sold vegetables to help his family and he did indeed walk to school.  He played varsity football in high school and was known by the nickname "Dynamite" for his ferocity, despite his small size.   Then World War II began.  He enlisted when he was 17, but had to lie about his age, since you had to be 18 to enlist.   Having never been out of Volusia County in his life, Basic Training in Demming, New Mexico was a shock.   He was deployed to England while being seasick the entire journey.   He flew as a tail gunner on a B-24 Bomber for the 8 ^th Army Air Force.  The 8 ^th 's job was to conduct bombing runs over Germany.  Despite being shot down over Belgium, smuggled to France, and then smuggled back to England by the resistance fighters, he flew more bombing missions.  It was said that the 8 ^th Army Airforce had the highest casualty rate percentage wise of participants compared to any of the other fighting forces in the Army.

After returning home, under the GI Bill of Rights, he obtained a law degree from Stetson University School of Law and began a law practice working with Attorney Walter Shelly.  Courtesy of Guy B Odum, he was able to venture out on his own.  He was admitted to the bar and practiced law from then until his death.  His son, Berrien Becks, Jr. joined him in the law firm in 1970 and practiced with him for 25 years until his retirement.  He had partners and associates along the way.  He always strived to give his clients the best outcome.  Berrien was a hard worker, usually in the office before seven in the morning and working almost every evening.  He was a very hard worker, usually in the office before seven in the morning and working almost every evening.

He turned to ranching on property he bought from Elmer McDonald on Taylor Road in Port Orange.  He partnered with Bruce Brundage in the cattle business and worked on the ranch usually every Saturday for a number of years.  He often said that everybody had the same 24 hours and what they chose to do with that time would affect the results they obtained.  He came from extreme poverty but, through hard times, hard work and perseverance, became successful.  He developed two over 55 manufactured home communities, Crane Lakes and La Costa.  He was one of the original investors in Econo Car, a rental car company that started in Daytona Beach and was later bought by Westinghouse.  He owned and worked a coal mine in Tennessee.  He and his wife developed property on Beach Street and International Speedway Boulevard.

He had a rich and varied life.  He was a wonderful and caring father.  His children, wife and family of friends loved and adored him.  He will be greatly missed. If every child in the world had a father like him the world would be a very different and better place.

Berrien was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Effie Becks; his brother, Robert Becks; his sister, Martha Williams; and his former wife, Colleen Becks.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kathryn, and their daughter, Kimberly Becks, as well as children, Berrien Becks, Jr. (Kathy), Connie Schnebly (John), Jennifer Becks, Angel Hayden Becks Reed (Mitchell).

He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Lori Becks (Luke), Michael Becks (Amy), John Schnebly, Jr. and Mark Schnebly; and by his great grandchildren, Marlie, Brady, Macy and Berrien.

The family wants to recognize Allen Brown who has been involved with the Becks family business for the last 40 years and has been a loyal and devoted friend and employee during that time.

Berrien will be laid to rest in a private family service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army, Halifax Hospice and to Chiles Academy.