 |
| |||
| Radio Station Info | Staff | Advertising | Job Opportunities | Contact Us |
Listen Live
|
|||
|
07/11/2018 - J. L. ‘Jay’ Beckham
Committal services for J. L. ‘Jay’ Beckham, age 91, of Hot Springs, SD will be at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at EvergreenCemetery in Hot Springs, SD.
Visitation will be at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs.
A memorial has been established for the donor’s choice.
Jay passed away on July 4, 2018, at Fall River Hospital in Hot Springs, SD.
Jay was born February 18, 1927 into a farming family to Luke Marcus and Frankie Lou (Warr) Beckham, at Prairie Hills, TX. He attended Hallsburg Elementary School in Hallsburg, TX and Riesel High School in Riesel, TX for 3 ½ of his 4 years. At midterm of his senior year (1944), he moved with his family and graduated from Bruceville-EddyHigh School in Eddy, TX in May of that year. His parents farmed in the Bethany Community, west of Lorena.
Jay’s nursing degree was earned at Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Waco, TX, and his associate degree was from TempleJunior College in Temple, TX. He continued his education with courses from BaylorUniversity, University of Texas and the University of Colorado-Denver. He proudly served two terms in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II and a 1 ½ year tour during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge. Jay’s nursing career began at the VA Hospital in Temple, TX as an operating room nurse. He then left government service and was employed in industrial nursing at the Chance-Vought Aircraft Corporation in Dallas, TX. He returned to government service in 1955, serving at Marlin, TX until 1962. He served at the Denver VA Medical Center from 1962 through 1967. His career from 1967 until his retirement was at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, where he served as day clinical nursing supervisor, utilization review coordinator under Nursing Service. In 1978, he served under the Chief of Staff and later the Center Director in his position as Health Services Review Organization Coordinator. He continued in this assignment until his retirement from Federal Service on August 1, 1986 in Hot Springs. He was also active on many VA Center special committees and programs including the Equal Employment Opportunity Program as member and counselor. Following his VA retirement, he was employed on September 8, 1986 as the administrative assistant to the director of McColley’s Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home in Hot Springs. He served there until the establishment was sold on June 16, 1987.
Residing in Hot Springs since 1967, he was once an active member of the Lions Club and Hot Springs Elks Lodge and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed helping people and believed in being a positive contributing member of any team. His professionalism, willingness to assist one and all, courtesy and cheerfulness were just a few of the qualities he exhibited.
Jay is survived by sister Helen Beckham Uptmor of Hallsburg, TX and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Jay in death was wife Freda in 2008; his parents; brothers Leonard Marcus Beckham, Henry Milton Beckham, Maurice Beckham, Roy Lee Beckham, and Clyde Beckham; and sister Florence.
Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home, Hot Springs, SD is in charge of arrangements for J. L. ‘Jay’ Beckham.
Back to FuneralsPrinter Friendly Version Send Story to a friend. |
