Jimmy Lester Behrends' Obituary
Jimmy Lester Behrends, 78, passed away on March 28, 2025. He was born on September 16, 1946, in Pampa, Texas to the late Ommo Lester and Ruth Ann (Murphree) Behrends.
Jim went to Pampa High School through his junior year when the family moved to Decatur, Arkansas where Jim completed his high school education. Jim and Ernetta married on December 26,1965 and lived with his parents while Ernie finished school. Jim voluntarily joined the navy in 1966 and proudly served his country for the next 4 years. After his service career, he and his family returned to their hometown of Decatur. Jim started a job at Continental Can Corporation in Rogers and worked there for the next 42 years, seeing it change names 4 times before retiring.
Jim and Ernetta were married for 59 years or as Jim would say 5.9 decades. He loved tinkering with cars and could fix almost anything. His biggest thrill when he would finish a car, would be to take it for a test drive. This is how we learned that he had a lead foot that pushed too hard on the gas pedal. He was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed going to cowboy shoots and target shooting. He and Ernetta also had fun at the lakes with family and friends, boating and camping. Later in life when he slowed down in retirement, he spent time watching his favorite tv shows on his HUGE television.
He is survived by his wife, Ernetta Behrends; son, Ricky Behrends (Cheryl); daughter, Sheila Morgan (Don); grandchildren, Trevor Morgan (Skyler), Tanner Morgan (Metaya), Tyler Morgan (Celsey), Larissa Arnold (Chris), Shannon Palmore (Clifford Gandy); 10 great-grandchildren and many other close family members.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 2, 10:30-11:30 with service to follow at 11:30 in Central United Methodist, Rogers. Burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Online condolences and obituary www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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