Bernard Ray Beck, Jr.'s Obituary
Bernard Ray Beck, Jr., was 95 years old and passed away on July 2, 2024, at the E.T. York, Haven Hospice Center in Gainesville, Florida. Bernard had resided in Gainesville since 2009. He was predeceased by his parents Bernard Ray Beck, Sr., and Fannie Lou Bedsole, and his sister, Frances Beck Pulham. Bernard was born on May 25, 1929, in Miami, Florida where he grew up. He graduated from Miami Jackson High School where he met Marjorie Edith Dawson Beck who became his loving wife almost 74 years ago. Bernard’s entire 40-year career was with the City of Miami where he was Superintendent of Property Maintenance and also had oversight of parking revenue at all Orange Bowl Stadium events. Bernard and his wife moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1992, and were long-time members of the Frank Donaldson Sunday School Class at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Bernard was a member of the Sta-Goners Camping Club for 20 years and served as their President in 1996. Bernard loved traveling with the club, trips to Alaska, and other places across the U.S. and Canada. Bernard also loved woodwork and craftmanship and was known for his fine woodwork. Having a love of gardening, he enjoyed his beautiful orchid house in his early years and caring for roses and other plants and trees in the yard in his later years.
Bernard was steadfast in his love and commitment to his family. He is survived by Marjorie Edith Dawson Beck (wife), Dr. Diane E. Beck (daughter), Gary Bernard Beck (son), Teresa Behr Beck (daughter-in-law), and Matthew Thomas Beck (grandson).
The family gives special thanks to his physicians at UF Health who provided excellent care over the years and the staff at Haven Hospice for the kind caregiving he received.
Services will be private with arrangements coordinated by the Williams-Thomas Funeral Homes. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church at 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209.
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