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Greef R. 'Dick' Beckham Cedar Hills, UT QCWA # 11087 Chapter 160 |
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Greef Richard Beckham, "Dick", 101, quietly slipped the bonds of mortality to reunite with his beloved eternal companion, his son, and his Heavenly Father in the early hours of April 15, 2016 at Cedar Hills, Utah. He was blessed to have spent his final months with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrating his last birthday with them.
Living over 100 years is quite an accomplishment for a human being. Less than 2% of the population reaches the century mark. In 2015, Richard was honored for this momentous occasion on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives. But more noteworthy, Richard lived an extended life of honor, integrity, and faith to the end.
Richard was born March 6, 1915 near Crowell in West Texas to parents Andrew and Lorena Beckham. He grew up learning the ethic of hard work while helping his father on the ranch. As a youth, Richard was an enthusiastic Boy Scout who cherished values of self-reliance, preparedness, and productivity. In the summer time you would find him camping and exploring the backcountry of the American West.
Richard served our country as a radio operator in the U.S. Navy, as a high school science teacher in Oregon, and as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, from which he retired.
During his time in the Navy, Richard served aboard the USS Colorado battleship, stationed in the Pacific. On July 2, 1937, the Colorado received a call to search for missing famed aviator, Amelia Earhart, who was finishing her circumnavigation of the globe. Richard volunteered for the mission. He and five other sailors flew in three seaplanes looking for any signs of Amelia and her plane. Throughout the search, Richard had his new 8 mm camera and filmed the only footage of that historical event. He was one of last known survivors from the Navy's search for Amelia.
In 1943, Richard married Alice Miles. They had one child, Grover Beckham "Grov," whom Richard raised entirely by himself. Together they lived throughout the Pacific Northwest, Guam, and Hawaii.
Later, Richard became a life-long HAM radio operator and volunteer trainer for many other operators in the mountain west. For decades he broadcasted his own station, W7FVM, out of Utah's Dixie. Richard also knew his way around electronics. He would occasionally build useful gadgets and devices, one of which kept drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.
Richard married Dolly Waller in 1971. After converting, the couple was baptized by Grov and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Richard was excited about this new chapter of his life and became devoted to his faith. Richard and Dolly served two church missions, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and at the St. George Utah Temple.
A generation later, Richard fulfilled an exemplary and influential role in the successful church missions of three of his grandsons, who served in Ohio, Australia, and Mozambique, Africa.
Several years after Dolly's passing, Richard (at age 90) re-married to Vera Jones. The two enjoyed and supported each other while residing at Ivins, Utah.
Over the span of his centurial lifetime, Richard lived through the Great Depression and World War II. He witnessed a tremendous amount of American history and technology. From the invention of television to the Apollo Moon landings, from the advent of personal computers to the September 11th attacks.
Richard was a smart, practical, and incorruptible man, who was happily content with his life. He always woke up early and he never wasted a day. When asked what the secret is to longevity, Richard responded, "Don't pay attention to the calendar or anything. Just keep living."
Richard Beckham is survived by his wife Vera; grandsons: Brandon, Orion (and Bonnie), Nathan, Britton (and Carolee), Austin (and Katie); granddaughter, Megan; and eight great-grandchildren: Joshua, Ashton, Kennedy, Brighton, Emerson, Liberty, William, and soon to arrive, Truman.
The Beckham family expresses their love and gratitude for the support of friends and extended family.
Celebration of life services will be held Friday, April 22, 2016 at 3:00pm at the LDS Chapel (25 Center St. Ivins, UT). The viewing will be at 1:00pm. A short documentary video about Richard will be shown at 2:30 pm. Interment will follow at the Ivins City Cemetery (200 West 400 North).
Arrangements are under the direction of McMillan Mortuary 435-688-8880. Condolences may be shared at mcmillanmortuary.com
Published in The Spectrum & Daily News on Apr. 20, 2016