James Richard Beckett
September 7, 1945 - September 20, 2016
Obituary
James R. Beckett, 71, gone far too soon, but leaving a legacy of love, caring, and service to his family, friends, and community passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on September 7, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Clela Mae Finney Beckett and John Robert (Bob) Beckett. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota (BA in Physics). He married Barbara Lucas in Houston, Texas on November 27th, 1970. He served as a preventive medicine specialist in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. After his discharge, he and Barbara lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey, while Jim completed his PhD in Physics at Rutgers University. Their son Matthew was born there in 1975. In 1978, the family relocated to Utah for a post-doc. Daughter Julie was born shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake City. They loved Utah so much that when the post-doc ended, Jim took an engineering position with National Semiconductor. The Utah years were filled with family activities, camping, hiking, and cross country skiing, and enjoying all the wonderful national and state parks. Wasatch Presbyterian Church was central to family life. Jim was always involved in his children's lives, from camping trips with the Boy Scouts to volunteering in the classroom.
In 1995, National Semiconductor moved Jim to their Arlington, Texas, facility where he continued to work until his retirement in 2001. After retiring, he pursued his interest in photography, becoming active in the Ft. Worth photography club and beginning to sell his work. In 2006, the family moved to Austin where he founded Jim Beckett Photo and continued to create and exhibit new work. He became an active member of the Creative Arts Society, and had a booth during First Thursdays on South Congress for several years. In 2012, his photo Lady Bird Lake: Morning Light won "The People's Choice" award at Austin City Hall and hangs there permanently.
Jim had many interests, from science (including physics, astronomy, and geology) to history, music to art, the environment to human behavior. He was a life-long learner and was always reading several books on topics ranging from French language to history to travel. He also cared deeply about environmental issues and was a long-time member of the Sierra Club and National Audubon Society. He studied French for many years both in Arlington and Austin, and always made the creme brûlée for the Lifetime Learning class. Jim was an accomplished baker, and especially loved baking bread and pastries.
In Austin, he was devotedly involved at Central Presbyterian Church. He co-taught a social issues Sunday school class for several years, sang in the choir, and took pictures of every event. Jim was a caretaker for anyone who needed help, whether it was a ride, a listening ear, or help moving. Although he was always ready give to others, his family came first.
Jim and Barbara loved traveling. Together they visited France several times, Italy, England, Costa Rica and nearly every state in the US. They loved visiting daughter Julie in Oregon and trips to the coast there where Jim photographed everything from crashing waves to the rocky shore to surfacing whales.
Jim is survived by wife Barbara, son Matthew, daughter Julie, Barbara's mother Rachel Lucas, and Barbara's sister and her family, Mona and Bill Crum, Christen and Dustin Werley and their son West, and Luke and Molly Crum.
Barbara, Matthew and Julie would like to thank their family and all the many friends who have supported them during this difficult time.
Those wishing to make donations in Jim's memory may consider Central Presbyterian Church, Foundation Communities, or Travis Audubon Society.
September 7, 1945 - September 20, 2016
Obituary
James R. Beckett, 71, gone far too soon, but leaving a legacy of love, caring, and service to his family, friends, and community passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on September 7, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Clela Mae Finney Beckett and John Robert (Bob) Beckett. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota (BA in Physics). He married Barbara Lucas in Houston, Texas on November 27th, 1970. He served as a preventive medicine specialist in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. After his discharge, he and Barbara lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey, while Jim completed his PhD in Physics at Rutgers University. Their son Matthew was born there in 1975. In 1978, the family relocated to Utah for a post-doc. Daughter Julie was born shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake City. They loved Utah so much that when the post-doc ended, Jim took an engineering position with National Semiconductor. The Utah years were filled with family activities, camping, hiking, and cross country skiing, and enjoying all the wonderful national and state parks. Wasatch Presbyterian Church was central to family life. Jim was always involved in his children's lives, from camping trips with the Boy Scouts to volunteering in the classroom.
In 1995, National Semiconductor moved Jim to their Arlington, Texas, facility where he continued to work until his retirement in 2001. After retiring, he pursued his interest in photography, becoming active in the Ft. Worth photography club and beginning to sell his work. In 2006, the family moved to Austin where he founded Jim Beckett Photo and continued to create and exhibit new work. He became an active member of the Creative Arts Society, and had a booth during First Thursdays on South Congress for several years. In 2012, his photo Lady Bird Lake: Morning Light won "The People's Choice" award at Austin City Hall and hangs there permanently.
Jim had many interests, from science (including physics, astronomy, and geology) to history, music to art, the environment to human behavior. He was a life-long learner and was always reading several books on topics ranging from French language to history to travel. He also cared deeply about environmental issues and was a long-time member of the Sierra Club and National Audubon Society. He studied French for many years both in Arlington and Austin, and always made the creme brûlée for the Lifetime Learning class. Jim was an accomplished baker, and especially loved baking bread and pastries.
In Austin, he was devotedly involved at Central Presbyterian Church. He co-taught a social issues Sunday school class for several years, sang in the choir, and took pictures of every event. Jim was a caretaker for anyone who needed help, whether it was a ride, a listening ear, or help moving. Although he was always ready give to others, his family came first.
Jim and Barbara loved traveling. Together they visited France several times, Italy, England, Costa Rica and nearly every state in the US. They loved visiting daughter Julie in Oregon and trips to the coast there where Jim photographed everything from crashing waves to the rocky shore to surfacing whales.
Jim is survived by wife Barbara, son Matthew, daughter Julie, Barbara's mother Rachel Lucas, and Barbara's sister and her family, Mona and Bill Crum, Christen and Dustin Werley and their son West, and Luke and Molly Crum.
Barbara, Matthew and Julie would like to thank their family and all the many friends who have supported them during this difficult time.
Those wishing to make donations in Jim's memory may consider Central Presbyterian Church, Foundation Communities, or Travis Audubon Society.
James Richard Beckett
September 7, 1945 - September 20, 2016
Obituary
James R. Beckett, 71, gone far too soon, but leaving a legacy of love, caring, and service to his family, friends, and community passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on September 7, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Clela Mae Finney Beckett and John Robert (Bob) Beckett. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota (BA in Physics). He married Barbara Lucas in Houston, Texas on November 27th, 1970. He served as a preventive medicine specialist in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. After his discharge, he and Barbara lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey, while Jim completed his PhD in Physics at Rutgers University. Their son Matthew was born there in 1975. In 1978, the family relocated to Utah for a post-doc. Daughter Julie was born shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake City. They loved Utah so much that when the post-doc ended, Jim took an engineering position with National Semiconductor. The Utah years were filled with family activities, camping, hiking, and cross country skiing, and enjoying all the wonderful national and state parks. Wasatch Presbyterian Church was central to family life. Jim was always involved in his children's lives, from camping trips with the Boy Scouts to volunteering in the classroom.
In 1995, National Semiconductor moved Jim to their Arlington, Texas, facility where he continued to work until his retirement in 2001. After retiring, he pursued his interest in photography, becoming active in the Ft. Worth photography club and beginning to sell his work. In 2006, the family moved to Austin where he founded Jim Beckett Photo and continued to create and exhibit new work. He became an active member of the Creative Arts Society, and had a booth during First Thursdays on South Congress for several years. In 2012, his photo Lady Bird Lake: Morning Light won "The People's Choice" award at Austin City Hall and hangs there permanently.
Jim had many interests, from science (including physics, astronomy, and geology) to history, music to art, the environment to human behavior. He was a life-long learner and was always reading several books on topics ranging from French language to history to travel. He also cared deeply about environmental issues and was a long-time member of the Sierra Club and National Audubon Society. He studied French for many years both in Arlington and Austin, and always made the creme brûlée for the Lifetime Learning class. Jim was an accomplished baker, and especially loved baking bread and pastries.
In Austin, he was devotedly involved at Central Presbyterian Church. He co-taught a social issues Sunday school class for several years, sang in the choir, and took pictures of every event. Jim was a caretaker for anyone who needed help, whether it was a ride, a listening ear, or help moving. Although he was always ready give to others, his family came first.
Jim and Barbara loved traveling. Together they visited France several times, Italy, England, Costa Rica and nearly every state in the US. They loved visiting daughter Julie in Oregon and trips to the coast there where Jim photographed everything from crashing waves to the rocky shore to surfacing whales.
Jim is survived by wife Barbara, son Matthew, daughter Julie, Barbara's mother Rachel Lucas, and Barbara's sister and her family, Mona and Bill Crum, Christen and Dustin Werley and their son West, and Luke and Molly Crum.
Barbara, Matthew and Julie would like to thank their family and all the many friends who have supported them during this difficult time.
Those wishing to make donations in Jim's memory may consider Central Presbyterian Church, Foundation Communities, or Travis Audubon Society.
September 7, 1945 - September 20, 2016
Obituary
James R. Beckett, 71, gone far too soon, but leaving a legacy of love, caring, and service to his family, friends, and community passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born on September 7, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Clela Mae Finney Beckett and John Robert (Bob) Beckett. He graduated from Lincoln High School and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota (BA in Physics). He married Barbara Lucas in Houston, Texas on November 27th, 1970. He served as a preventive medicine specialist in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. After his discharge, he and Barbara lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey, while Jim completed his PhD in Physics at Rutgers University. Their son Matthew was born there in 1975. In 1978, the family relocated to Utah for a post-doc. Daughter Julie was born shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake City. They loved Utah so much that when the post-doc ended, Jim took an engineering position with National Semiconductor. The Utah years were filled with family activities, camping, hiking, and cross country skiing, and enjoying all the wonderful national and state parks. Wasatch Presbyterian Church was central to family life. Jim was always involved in his children's lives, from camping trips with the Boy Scouts to volunteering in the classroom.
In 1995, National Semiconductor moved Jim to their Arlington, Texas, facility where he continued to work until his retirement in 2001. After retiring, he pursued his interest in photography, becoming active in the Ft. Worth photography club and beginning to sell his work. In 2006, the family moved to Austin where he founded Jim Beckett Photo and continued to create and exhibit new work. He became an active member of the Creative Arts Society, and had a booth during First Thursdays on South Congress for several years. In 2012, his photo Lady Bird Lake: Morning Light won "The People's Choice" award at Austin City Hall and hangs there permanently.
Jim had many interests, from science (including physics, astronomy, and geology) to history, music to art, the environment to human behavior. He was a life-long learner and was always reading several books on topics ranging from French language to history to travel. He also cared deeply about environmental issues and was a long-time member of the Sierra Club and National Audubon Society. He studied French for many years both in Arlington and Austin, and always made the creme brûlée for the Lifetime Learning class. Jim was an accomplished baker, and especially loved baking bread and pastries.
In Austin, he was devotedly involved at Central Presbyterian Church. He co-taught a social issues Sunday school class for several years, sang in the choir, and took pictures of every event. Jim was a caretaker for anyone who needed help, whether it was a ride, a listening ear, or help moving. Although he was always ready give to others, his family came first.
Jim and Barbara loved traveling. Together they visited France several times, Italy, England, Costa Rica and nearly every state in the US. They loved visiting daughter Julie in Oregon and trips to the coast there where Jim photographed everything from crashing waves to the rocky shore to surfacing whales.
Jim is survived by wife Barbara, son Matthew, daughter Julie, Barbara's mother Rachel Lucas, and Barbara's sister and her family, Mona and Bill Crum, Christen and Dustin Werley and their son West, and Luke and Molly Crum.
Barbara, Matthew and Julie would like to thank their family and all the many friends who have supported them during this difficult time.
Those wishing to make donations in Jim's memory may consider Central Presbyterian Church, Foundation Communities, or Travis Audubon Society.
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