George Lee Beckham

George Lee Beckham, of Orange, Texas passed away on October 24, 2020. He was 83 years old.

George is survived by his wife of 24 years, Elma Whatley Beckham; his three children, Tasca Allain and husband Michel of Fremont, New Hampshire, Kevin Beckham and his wife Diana of Katy, Texas, and Lynn Jackson and her husband Greg of Port Arthur, Texas; as well as two step-children, Harold “Sam” Whatley and wife Tammy of Bridge City, Texas and Gwen Cannaday of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Clayton Whatley, Kylie Whatley, Rachel Cunningham, Ginni Wendt, and Joshua Kibbe; three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews that will be left to cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Joan Simmons Beckham of Orange, Texas; his parents, Willie C. and Eddie B. Beckham of Jena, Louisiana; his brothers, Louis Beckham, James Beckham, Carl Beckham, and Frank Beckham; his sister, Louise Smith; and one grandchild.

George was born in Ofahoma, Mississippi on October 6, 1937 and then moved to Jena, Louisiana as a young child. He graduated from Jena High School in 1956 where he played football for the Jena Giants. In July of 1957 he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Simmons. He moved to Orange, Texas and went to work for Allied Chemical. He started in the lab and moved into many positions within the chemical plant, retiring as an Instrument Electrical Technician after 37 years. He continued his studies in the electrical field throughout his life. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades and could accomplish anything he set his mind to. He was a devoted husband, Daddy, Grampa, and caregiver with a heart of gold.

After stopping in to give condolences to a longtime co-worker’s wife, a relationship formed, and George and Elma Whatley Beckham married in August of 1996. They regularly attended Orange First Church of the Nazarene, where George was a deacon. They had a wonderful 24-year marriage and enjoyed traveling to Canton, Texas and Gadsden, Alabama to go antiquing and later traveled to both New Hampshire and Kansas regularly in their motorhome. Together they owned and maintained several rental properties in Orange. You could often find them painting and cleaning together. George would frequently say to his other workers, “You hear that? That’s Elma calling me home,” and off he would go.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2020 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Claybar Funeral Home. Officiating will be Pastor Mark Compton of House of Prayer Holiness Church in Mauriceville, Texas. Interment will follow at Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown, Louisiana at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to House of Prayer Holiness Church, P. O. Box 359, Mauriceville, Texas 77626.