Obituary for Jimmy Beck

Jimmy Lee Beck

December 18, 1962 – December 28, 2019

Angels rejoiced at the Gates of Heaven welcoming home Jimmy Lee Beck after losing his lengthy but heroic battle with end stage renal failure. His work on this earth was finished and God called him home in the early morning of Saturday December 28, 2019 at the age of 57 years.

Born December 18, 1962, in Bentonville, Arkansas, Jimmy was an early Christmas present to loving parents Jimmy Woodrow and Wanda Arlean (Bray) Beck. An older sister, Laurey, would excitedly welcome him home.

At the young age of 1, Jimmy moved with his young family to Blackwell, Oklahoma where he would live out the remainder of his life. No matter where he would travel or visit, Blackwell remained home to him and he was proud of his small town life and it’s Maroon Spirit.

Jimmy attended Washington and Huston elementary schools and graduated with the BHS Class of 1981. At BHS, he lettered in freshman football although a broken leg would end his football playing days, saxophone in the marching band, and was a dedicated member of FFA, showing sheep at the county fairs. Later in life, Jimmy would be an active member of the Blackwell Jaycees, touching many of our community’s young people’s lives by providing them with their 1st bicycles.

As a right of passage as with many young people in Blackwell, Jimmy’s 1st job would be at the Sonic Drive- In, working throughout his high school years. After graduation, Jimmy began working at CFM and then Electron, both of Blackwell. Jimmy was looking for adventure and soon would be trained with Swift Transportation of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After training, he transferred to Glass Trucking of Newkirk and ended his truck driving career, due to ill health, with Cupid’s of Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Jimmy found his passion in long haul driving. The open road called his name and he got to see many places across the country that he had only read or heard about. Jimmy loved telling stories of the road from the wicked New Jersey traffic and their crazy round-a-bouts to the one way streets of New York City to getting chased by alligators while at the Florida Highway rest stop!

On July 14, 1990 at The Tabernacle Church in Blackwell, Oklahoma Jimmy married the love of his life and best friend Sherrie Lynn Chambers. For the next 29 years, they would have many adventures, lots of ups and downs, share many tears but share even more laughs. They loved each other dearly as witnessed by Sherrie’s devoted, tireless, and never ending loving care of Jimmy in the last years of his life. They tackled the challenges head on and hand in hand. They stood strong in their faith and in their love setting examples for all that had the privilege to witness. Jimmy was thankful every day for the love she and others showed him.

Jimmy and Sherrie’s most exciting adventure would be the adoption of their 4 children. Raising them as his own, he was a proud daddy who gave all he had to them. His children and grandchild were everything to him. He shared many of his hobbies with his children, teaching and sharing in their successes. Hobbies included woodworking and crafting (he was proud of his Cherokee Indian heritage and made beautiful dream catchers with his daughter Alia)., leather work, boating, fishing, camping, deer hunting, gardening and his love of animals. Jimmy had so much fun working on his little Gnome village and raising milk goats until his health forced him to sell his herd.

Jimmy was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, a great dad, and awesome grandpa…he loved being a grandpa. Many will remember him for his smile, his laugh, sense of humor and comical ways. He loved making people smile, laugh or just raise an eyebrow (hey someone pull my finger!!!!…..or but did you see that?) Standing 6’4” tall he was a gentle giant with a heart of gold, even though some days he had a “bear that had been woken early from a long winter’s nap” exterior. It was all a show to see people’s reactions. Although he never understood why, he was an inspiration to many. He overcame such heavy obstacles, never giving up, although many others faced with what he faced would have given up. You just had to cheer him on! Sadly, his last trial would not be his to win, but not for lack of trying. He fought to the very end but God said it was time to rest, your work here is done, come home my son.

Jimmy leaves behind his beloved and devoted wife of 29 years Sherrie of the home Blackwell, Ok. His 2 daughters Kayla Beck of Oklahoma City, Ok, and Alia Beck of the home; 1 son-in-law Evan Miller of Blackwell, Ok; 2 Sons Christian Beck and Ryan Beck both of the home: 1 grandson that he adored more than life itself, Ryder Lee Miller of the home. His loving and heartbroken parents Jim and Wanda Beck of Blackwell, Ok; Mother in law Glenda (Chambers) Mills of Blackwell, Ok; 3 sisters: Laurey and husband Glenn Brennan of Lawton, Ok; Virginia and husband Harrold “Bud” Pingry of Bartlesville, Ok; Susie and husband Ray Burgert of Dodge City, KS. 3 Brother- in- Laws: DeWayne Chambers and wife Lisa Reames of Blackwell, Ok; Bill and wife Joby Chambers of Portland, TX; and David Kirby of Blackwell, Ok. 6 Nieces: Kaetlyn and husband Steven Feldman of Lawton, Ok; Ashley and husband John Whitehouse of Ponca City, Ok; Arin and husband Zach Payne of Alva, Ok; Rachel Chambers of Wichita, KS; and who he considered as his daughters Sienna Chambers of Corpus Christi TX; and Allison and husband Brandon Wiltz. Allison is a member of The United States Navy and is currently stationed in Japan. 5 Nephews: James Brennan of Lawton, Ok; Christoper Chambers of Wichita, Ks; Zachery Pingry and Matthew Pingry both of Bartlesville, Ok; and Clark Burgert of Dodge City, Ks. 1 Great Niece Gracie Whitehouse of Ponca City, Ok. 2 Great Nephews: Keyston Kirby of Blackwell, Ok and David Whitehouse of Ponca City, Ok. Numerous Aunts, uncles and cousins in Blackwell, Ok; Ponca City, Ok; Arkansas and Missouri.

Waiting at the gates of heaven to celebrate Jimmy home were his maternal grandparents Alvie and Cecil Bray. His paternal grandmother Ethel Beck. Uncles: Norman Buxton, Arlie Bray, Clyde Wimsett; Aunts: Eva Rancier, Patsy Bray and Iva Wimsett along with brother-in-law Johnny Dewey and sister-in-law Tammie Kirby. His life- long friend Mark Johnson and his much loved and dedicated companion Roscoe, a pure-bred English bulldog who never left his side during his medical journey, they were inseparable.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held Thursday, January 2, 2019 at 2 pm. at the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with Lanny Jobe, Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Blackwell Cemetery.

Following burial service, Family visitation will take place in the Fellowship Hall at the Church of Christ 1035 S. Main St, Blackwell, Ok. Jimmy’s family would like to invite all to come and share stories of Jimmy’s life and how he has touched their lives.

Family visitation will also take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at Roberts and Son funeral home.

With honor and privilege, carrying Jimmy to his final resting place will be the following Casket Bearers: Nolan Roundtree, Brett Bergman, Jared Kerstein, David Ingram, James Brennan, Zachery Pingry, Matthew Pingry and Clark Burgert.

The family would like to honor the following people who were special and dear to Jimmy as Honorary Casket Bearers: DeWayne Chambers, Bill Chambers, David Kirby, Ray Burgert, Glenn Brennan, Bud Pingry, Christopher Chambers, Evan Miller, Kevin Bray, Justin Simmons, Chris Johnson, Dalton Woods, Mike McCoy and the BHS Class of 1981

“The Angels beckon me from heaven’s open door

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to a Go Fund Me acct to help with the overwhelming medical and financial hardships brought on by Jimmy’s long battle with end stage renal failure.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jimmy-beck-funeral-expenses

The family would like to give special thanks and acknowledgments to the following for their amazing care, patience, support, love and prayers throughout Jimmy’s lengthy illness:

Dr. Vijay of Enid,Ok; The entire staff at the Fresenius Dialysis Center of Enid, Drs. and nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital, Enid, Ok; The entire staff of Blackwell Regional Hospital; BHS Class of 1981; the tremendous outpouring of prayers from numerous churches across several states.