Jim Secker

Jim Secker, of Sedona, Arizona, formerly of Rogers, Arkansas, died suddenly on Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born April 16, 1941, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Helen and Girard “Jerry” Secker.

Jim was raised on the family dairy farm alongside his older brother, Girard (“Gardy”), and younger sister, Susan. He relished telling stories about growing up on the farm, and those memories were a lifelong source of joy and humor for him.

After graduating from Hannibal High School in 1959 as a star tailback for the Pirates, Jim attended Missouri State University with plans to continue his football career and participate in the ROTC program. A knee injury early in his college years ended both pursuits. He graduated from Missouri State in 1963, and his desire for service soon led him to join the Peace Corps, where he spent a year serving in a remote village in the Andes Mountains of Colombia.

In 1964, Jim moved to Rogers, Arkansas, to work for Ralston Purina. After working for Purina and Pel-Freez, he began a nearly 30 year career as an insurance agent, the majority of which as the owner of Benton Insurance, before retiring in 2008.

Service was a hallmark of Jim’s life. As a second generation member of the Lions Club, he was a proud and faithful lifelong member, serving twice as president. He served countless pancakes and sausages through the Lions’ pancake breakfasts and placed hundreds of American flags throughout Rogers on significant holidays. In 2024, he was recognized as a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest honor awarded by Lions Clubs International, recognizing dedicated humanitarian service.

In 1967, Jim served as chairman of the Rogers Young Republicans, and in 1969 Governor Winthrop Rockefeller appointed him to the Arkansas State Parole Board, where he served until 1971. He was also an active campaign volunteer in many state and local elections.

Jim was a die hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was able to influence half his family into allegiance to the Cardinals, but the other half were fans of the dreaded Dodgers. He took great pleasure in stoking the flames of competition between these two factions, but true to Jim’s love and loyalty to his people, he was texting his Dodgers people encouragement during this last World Series. His love for the Cardinals was rivaled only by his devotion to all Razorbacks sports. Jim especially loved Saturday tailgates on The Hill with family and close friends. His family still tailgates and goes to Razorback football games on the season tickets he bought in 1985.

Jim was famously dedicated to his daily crossword puzzles—completing them truly made his day. Through his love of stamp collecting, he created many personal albums over the years, including special collections for his children. Bird watching from the porch or deck was one of his favorite pastimes, and he was an avid reader with a deep interest in history and current events.

No one took greater pleasure than Jim in listening to a good storyteller. While Elizabeth, Mark, and Eric didn’t share his love for Garrison Keillor, some of their most cherished memories are listening to him read from anything by Mark Twain and books such as No Time for Sergeants and The Real Diary of a Real Boy, barely getting through each page through the interruptions of his own bellowing laughter. And yes, he had a quirky sense of humor…although not verified, his children believe he invented the “Dad” joke.

Music brought immense joy to Jim. His musical tastes ranged from gospel, blues, classic rock, and folk to mellow jazz (not to mention the many Ray Conniff vinyls in his collection). He believed a home without music was like a body without a soul.

His legacy and impact live on through his family in so many ways, not the least of which are the thousands of pictures he took over the years. His camera was an extension of himself. His family is blessed to have treasures of moments and memories because of what he captured on film over the years…reminiscing, laughing, and crying for years to come thanks to Jim and his camera (and don’t think for a second, that every time he was taking a picture using the timer that he didn’t act like he wasn’t going to make it into the picture in time…every single time).

Jim married Jennifer Wells Katsaras on July 19, 1997, and she survives him. He is also survived by his children Elizabeth Goldasich (Matt), Eric Secker, and Mark Secker (Lottie); and Jennifer’s children Chris Katsaras (Becky) and Julie Davis (Gary); as well as his brother Girard Secker of Hannibal, Missouri.

Jim…Papa as he was called…was exceedingly proud of his nine grandchildren and followed their lives closely, sharing their experiences and accomplishments with great joy. He was constantly “busting his buttons” to anyone who would listen to the latest updates about his beloved grandchildren: Bradley Goldasich, Michael Goldasich, Matthew Goldasich, Will Secker, Annie Secker King (Spencer), Catie Grace Secker, Madeline Secker, Caleb Secker, and Nicholas Katsaras.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Susan Secker Palmieri.

Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rogers, Arkansas. He cared deeply, cheered loudly, loved fiercely, and served God faithfully. His family will honor his life by striving to live out these same virtues.

A service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in downtown Rogers, Arkansas, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. A private family service will be held in Sedona, Arizona, at a later date.

After losing his sister Susan to ALS, finding a cure for the disease became especially important to Jim. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to support ALS research.