James Louis Becton, MD

Augusta, GA – Dr. James L. Becton passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

Dr. Becton was born on October 8, 1934 in Savannah, Georgia to Beulah Lee Joyner and Herbert E. Becton. He grew up in Pooler, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah High School, attended Georgia Southern University and graduated from Wake Forest University in 1956. He earned his MD from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Additionally, he was called into the US Army, where he served in a military hospital in Korea. He completed his fellowship in hand surgery in San Francisco, California. He moved to Augusta, Georgia in July of 1967 where he started the Augusta Orthopedic Clinic. He was in private practice with Dr. Joe Christian, Dr. North Goodwin, Dr. Jack Jackson, Dr. Craig Kerins, Dr. Allen Goodrich, and Dr. Ed Crosland. Dr. Becton retired from private practice in 2011 and continued to be on the staff at the Medical College of Georgia as a professor of orthopedic surgery until 2018.

He was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, American Hand Society, Medical Association of Georgia, and Richmond County Medical Society (past president). He was on the medical staff of St. Joseph Hospital and University Hospital of Augusta.  He was a member of Rotary Club, Clinton Anderson Foundation, Coventry Orthopedic Society, and recently was inducted into the Georgia Orthopedic Society Foundation’s Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Augusta Country Club, Highlands Country Club, Sea Island Club, and Sand Hills Investment Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and was active in the Cason Bruker Sunday School Class. Dr. Becton was a trustee of Wake Forest University and a Life Trustee. 

Dr. Becton was very active in his profession as an orthopedic surgeon and hand surgeon. He also enjoyed time spent at his homes in Sea Island, Georgia and Highlands, North Carolina. 

He is predeceased by his first wife Mary Beth Conrad Becton. Also, brothers-in-law Clifford Bell and Brock Conrad. 

He is survived by his wife Pamela Palmer Becton and his children Dr. Lou Becton (Laura), Dr. Beth Becton, Brooke Shull (Mike), and Palmer Hummel, and grandchildren James H. Becton, Sullins Becton, Bennett Becton, Marion Becton, Harper Shull, Corbet Shull, and Maggie Shull. 

He is also survived by his sister Jackie Bell, brother Ed Becton (Octavia), sister-in-law Lorraine Conrad, brother-in-law Jesse Palmer (Carol), and several nieces and nephews. 

The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church of Augusta with Dr Will Dyer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M., at the church. Interment will follow the service at Westover Memorial Park.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Extension, Augusta, Ga 30909

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.