The Ministry, a Marathon, and the Enduring Power of Community
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is one of those cases where a community takes a tragic event and comes together to turn it into something uplifting and beautiful. For the Reverend Larry Becker, a resident of Epworth Villa, the 2025 Marathon was also an opportunity to continue his lifelong legacy of ministry to those around him.
“I felt called to the ministry from a very early age,” said Becker. “While I worked at a bank and an automotive parts house before going to college, ministry really took hold at a revival service during my early teenage years.”
A graduate of Oklahoma City University (1959) and Southern Methodist University (graduate degree in 1962), Rev. Becker served full time in ministry for nearly 40 years before retiring in early 2001.
“I served in many great churches throughout the state,” said Rev. Becker. “Oklahoma was where I knew I was supposed to be, and it’s still true today.”
In 2017, Rev. Becker and his wife Marcia began looking for a senior living community to call home. “I knew Epworth Villa through my days in ministry,” said Rev. Becker. “I loved how active and welcoming the community was and is. We brought our kids to visit, and they agreed. Epworth was an easy choice,” said Rev. Becker.
At Epworth Villa, Rev. Becker continued serving the community in many ways, including an unexpected one for a man in his 90s—forming a team to compete in the 2025 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
“I ran in 2024 and loved it, so I encouraged my friends at Epworth to join me in 2025. And boy, did they! We had 51 residents signed up to compete! I was so proud of my community.”
While ill-timed rain caused the event to be rescheduled, the senior portion of the Memorial Marathon was moved to Epworth Villa, and 35 neighbors joined Rev. Becker in completing the 1.2-mile course—each receiving a medal from representatives of the OKC Marathon.
“I believe deeply in staying active—physically, mentally, and spiritually,” said Becker. “I still volunteer here at the community. I participate in Vespers services. I write articles for our newsletter. And organizing the Marathon team keeps me young,” continued Rev. Becker.
But next year I want to get even more people signed up. I want to make it the biggest one yet.
Rev. Becker
