Jack D. Beckelman

February 3, 1920 – December 18, 2011

Colonel Jack Dwain Beckelman (Ret.), 91, passed this life December 18, 2011, surviving his loving wife Jerry (Floyd) Beckelman by 4 years. Jack was born on February 3, 1920, in Gainesville, Texas, the son of John Dewey Beckelman and Elda ("Bobbie") Shawyer. Jack was blessed with a younger sister, Gerry (Beckelman) Marcus, who preceded him in death in March 1980. From Gainesville, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, with his father establishing a grocery store in the Polytechnic area. Jack graduated from Poly High School in 1938 where he met the love of his life, Jerry Floyd. They were married in 1942 resulting in a marriage of devotion and love for 65 years until her passing in 2007.

Jack had a strong interest in aircraft at an early age, which he developed into a life-long career. Prior to the start of World War II, in April 1941, Jack entered the Army Air Corps, later to become the U.S. Air Force. After completion of training at the West Coast Training Center, 41-C, he was awarded the rank of First Lieutenant. Jack piloted a B-17G, which he named "Paisano," from Horham, England, flying 33 missions over Germany and France with the 8th Air Force, 95th Bomb Group, 336 Squadron. Jack, along with his faithful crew of 9, earned eleven medals for heroism and merit, including the Legion of Merit with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 OLC, the Air Medal with 3 OLCs, and the American Defense Medal. However, his most prized was the French Croix de Guerre, awarded by the French Government with General Jimmy Dolittle in attendance. The respective mission was a low-level instrument flight, at night, supplying the French underground. After WWII, the Air Force sent Jack to Texas A&M where he graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was later assigned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he graduated in 1951 with a Masters of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. His 30 year career in the U.S. Air Force allowed him to pursue his love of flying during which time he was able to fly many of the planes in their inventory including the F4 Phantom, the Fl00 Super Sabre, and the F106 Delta Dart. When asked the question, of all the planes you have flown in your lifetime, what is the one you like most, Jack responded by saying, "The one that I was flying at the time." Jack spent time in the Pentagon and was assigned to many Air Force bases in his career, retiring in 1970 from Holloman AFB as base Colonel in charge of missile tests. Jack and Jerry then moved to El Paso where they remained active with various Air Force retirement groups and St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He also taught Lear Jet flying and flew for various commercial interests, but finally gave these activities up after several years for a less active lifestyle.

The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to Jack's many loving and compassionate friends of Wind Song Drive who provided Jack with infinite assistance, the members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church with whom Jack read scripture and prayed, the excellent and exhaustive care provided by the staff of Good Samaritan White Acres, and the caring professionals of Choice Hospice. The many visits, trips, prayers, and assistance that were provided over the last few years, and later during his final period of life, are examples of Christian compassion at its finest.

In addition to the preceding friends and associates, Jack leaves behind the following: Carolyn Perry, niece/caregiver, and husband Fred, DeSoto, TX; Floyd Cox, nephew, Fort Worth, TX; Janie Floyd, sister-in-law, Las Cruces, NM; Jim Floyd, nephew, and wife, Nohemi, Aledo, TX; Guy Floyd, nephew, and wife, Carla, Las Cruces, NM; Greg Floyd, nephew, and wife, Beverly, Las Cruces, NM; Annette Monreal, cousin, San Bernardino, CA; Dan Beckelman, cousin, North Richland Hills, TX; Tim Beckelman, cousin, Granbury, TX; 10 great-nephews and great-nieces; and lastly… a free nation.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West. A Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Blvd. In lieu of flowers, those electing may make donations to: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 7000 Edgemere Blvd., El Paso, TX 79925, or the 95th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation, c/o Nancy Freemantle, Treasurer, PO Box 6154, Eureka, CA 95502. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com Martin Funeral Home

 Source: Find-a-grave.com