Dr. Ferdinand Francis Becker Jr.

Published 12:31 pm Thursday, January 9, 2025

Dr. Ferdinand Francis Becker Jr. passed away peacefully December 24, 2024. He was born January 1, 1940, the son of Ferdinand Francis Becker II and Mary Adeline Moreton Becker of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Ferd graduated from Brookhaven High School and completed his pre-medical education at Vanderbilt University in 1961. He continued his medical education at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana and received his Medical Doctor Degree in 1965. He was a general duty medical officer in the United States Navy in Charleston, South Carolina during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He completed his Internship and Residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1972, in Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Ferd practiced facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Vero Beach, Florida for over 35 years. During his professional career he was very active with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He belonged to many surgical and medical societies and received countless prestigious awards, the most notable being the 1995 William Wright Award from the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery for excellence in and contributions to Facial Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Becker was the fellowship director of the Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program and trained 17 Facial Plastic Surgery Fellows from 1984 to 1997. One of the founding fathers of the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, he was honored in 2003 with a special plaque for “a caring spirit, unselfish teaching of others, a pioneer in skin cancer surgery, and the foremost facial plastic surgeon in Florida.”

His truest and most steadfast love was of the Lord. He was an active bible scholar and teacher, and was extremely passionate about his faith and the message of Salvation. An unwaveringly devout Christian, he lived his life according to biblical principles. He demonstrated this daily as he fought Parkinson’s Disease with peace and dignity.

His hobbies included: basketball, sailing, tennis, bird watching, amateur photography. An avid reader, he enjoyed research and learning. Traveling the world also gave him great pleasure.

He had a large extended family of Beckers and Moretons. He loved them all and they loved him. ‘Ferdie’, as he was affectionately known, made great efforts to attend all family events.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years Kathy Blount Becker, his sister Linda Becker Smith (Larry), his 3 children Mary Alicia Ewing (late husband William), Ferdinand Francis Becker III (Jamie), Roy Alciatore Becker (Chelsea), and his 5 grandchildren, Patricia Adeline Ewing, Jon Becker Ewing, Mary Alice Ewing, William Francis Becker, Henry Brooks Becker.

He will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

A visitation for Dr. Becker will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie, Louisiana 70006, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Dr. Ferdinand Becker to a charity of your choice or to one of the following:

Samaritan’s Purse at www.SamaritansPurse.org.

The American Parkinson Disease Association at www.support.apdaparkinson.org.

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews at www.help.ifcj.org.