James D Beck

James D Beck was born in Anthony, KS on May 29, 1932, and passed away at his home in Albuquerque, NM on the morning of Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the age of 92.

From the time he was about 12 years old, and as the eldest of three children being raised by a single mother in Wichita, KS in the post-depression years, Jim was thrust into the role of "man of the house" by having to take on various types of jobs after school in order to help support the young family. He delivered newspapers for a time until he found a better paying, and more satisfying, job as a "soda-jerk" at a local drug store, serving up such delicacies as milk shakes, ice cream sodas, soft drinks and banana splits!

Upon graduation from Wichita East High School at the age of 17, Jim soon began what would become a long-term working relationship with the Bell Telephone System, starting as a coin collector for Southwestern Bell in Wichita. His career was put on hold for a three-year stint with the United States Marine Corps, which included active-duty tours in Okinawa, Japan and Korea, and concluded after attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. It was during this time that on August 13, 1953, he married Barbara "Joyce" Michler, a union that would produce two children and lasted 61 years until Joyce's passing in 2015.

Following his discharge from the Marines in 1956, Jim and Joyce returned to Kansas to begin a family, and to reconnect with Southwestern Bell. They would eventually make another move, with two youngsters in tow, to New Mexico, where Jim worked in various management positions for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company (which would become Mountain Bell) in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Farmington, New Mexico as well as in Denver, Colorado, until his retirement in 1983.

In retirement, Jim found joy working with his hands as a craftsman, honing his skills as an accomplished woodcarver and furniture maker. He was a man of high character and integrity, and a true man of faith. His greatest enjoyment, and source of pride, however, was always his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Elsie Beck; his wife, Joyce; and brother, Jack. He is survived by his son, Mike Beck (Julie); daughter, Tami Gerrard (Paul); grandchildren, Grant Gerrard (Karissa), Cody Gerrard (Courtney), Allyson Smith (Carl), Kyle Beck, and Ryan Beck, as well as great-grandchildren, Gia Gerrard, Evi Gerrard, Kayleigh Gerrard, Samuel Gerrard, and Kaycee Beck. He also leaves behind many dear friends, and his Bean Bag Baseball "teammates" at Coronado Villa.

A Memorial Service for Jim will be held Monday, February 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming, followed by a reception at the same location. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.