James R. Behr - Obituary

im Behr, a 61 year resident of Oxon Hill, MD, died on June 25th, 2021 with his daughter by his side at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital. Jim was born Jan 23rd, 1931, in Davenport, Iowa, to Emma Louise Riebe and Roy Christian Hans Behr. As a boy, he enjoyed many afternoons fishing along the banks of the Mississippi river near his home and at the Behr family camp in Clinton, Iowa. He graduated from Davenport High. During high school he worked at Schleges Rexall Drug Store and dreamed of becoming a Pharmacist. When the FBI came calling in his senior year, his life took a different direction. After graduation, Jim drove two of his best friends across the country to join the Bureau at the Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he worked in the Identification Division and was trained to read fingerprints. He quickly worked up through the ranks under J. Edgar Hoover, eventually supervising the entire division on the night shift. He loved his job and loved training new employees. He worked for the FBI for 43 years and was beloved by the members of the Ident Division there. Jim met his bride, Shirley, at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in NW Wash, DC. They danced and competed at FBI socials for most of their married life. They were married in 1952. Their first few years were spent in a small apartment in SE Washington. In 1956 they took the plunge and bought their first home in North Forestville, MD. Jim purchased a small laundromat there, which still stands, to help cover expenses. He also began educating himself in the fields of home building and real estate, opening his own real estate company. He built several beautiful custom homes throughout Oxon Hill and Fort Washington including two for his own family. Jim was happiest when he was busy! He loved traveling to Rehoboth Beach, DE more than anywhere else he ever traveled, eventually purchasing a condo there and managing the entire building. He loved the pleasures of vegetable gardening and flower gardens, gifts of his German heritage. In his retirement years, he kept up his real estate license until recently. He became very involved with the Oxon Hill Police Coffee Club and was a charter member of the Barnaby Manor Citizen' Association, where he served as President and later Treasurer up to the time of his death. Dad attended Oxon Hill Lutheran and Messiah Lutheran in Alexandria, VA. Upon Shirley's death in 2010, Dad also discovered the senior programs at Camp Springs Senior Center, where he has faithfully attended lunch there every day as well as other programs. He became fascinated with our family history in recent years. Jim and his daughter spent hours pouring over vital family history records to his delight. He is survived by his only child, Pamela Smart and son-in-law, Donald Smart. His wife of 57 years, Shirley Eunice Wilcox, preceded him in death. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Jim's life at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road., Oxon Hill, MD with viewings on Sunday, July 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Monday, July 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery immediately following the service.