Jimmy Woodrow Beck

Jimmy Woodrow Beck June 24, 1941 – July 4, 2025

Angels rejoiced at the Gates of Heaven as Jimmy Woodrow Beck walked thru and into the arms of his son Jimmy Lee, after a lengthy battle with Neutropenia and Platelete Disorder. He had said his goodbyes, and with his girl by his side for their 65th wedding anniversary and fireworks bursting overhead God called him home in the evening of Friday July 4, 2025 at the age of 84 years and 10 days.

Jimmy (Jim) was born in the early hours of June 24, 1941 in the family home in Cherokee City, Oklahoma to Woodrow and Ethel Jane (Mullin) Beck. Sisters Ida Mae, Elnora and brother Elmer were excited to meet their baby brother.

In his younger years the family lived in several places in Oklahoma, and Kansas but would eventually move to Blackwell, Oklahoma where he would live out his life. He began school in the same school his mother had attended at Center Point, a 1 room school house outside of Cherokee City in Delaware County, Oklahoma. He would finish his school studies in the Blackwell school system where he excelled in sports.

Jim and his family survived the 1955 Great Plains Tornado Outbreak or better known as The Blackwell Tornado of 55. He would tell stories of that day and the horrors he saw. This would be the beginning of his interest in weather watching.

Jim met the love of his life, Wanda Arlean Bray in 1958 and would make her his bride on July 5, 1960 at the Methodist Church in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Family and friends traveled in from far and wide for the celebration. After a two week honeymoon at the Flagstone Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas they began their life as newlyweds in a small home in Bentonville, where Jim worked as a chicken catcher for the Bentonville Co op. While there they added to their family with a daughter Laurey Ann and a son Jimmy Lee. After their son was born, Jim left the Co-op and joined the construction crew of the Beaver Dam on the White River in Arkansas. When the dam was finished, Jim and Wanda packed up their family and moved to Blackwell and Jim was quickly hired on to the shake out crew at the Acme Foundry and eventually in the shell core department. While working at Acme Foundry another daughter Virginia Arlean was born and five years later their baby girl Carol Suzanne (Susie) was born making their family complete.

In 1976, CFM Foundry inticed Jim to come work for them as their Cupola Tender. He would remain in this position for the next 21 years. Upon his retirement, no one was willing to take over the dangerous job and the foundry shut down the Cupola and went electric.

Jim loved his family and was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His children would receive daily calls just to say I love you. He told all the nurses about his kids and especially how many years he had been married to his girl. When he wasn’t bragging on his children, you could find him on a fishing bank or in the water noodling. Fishing on the creek bed was what he longed for. Sitting on the creek bed with his son and grandsons was paradise.

He loved riding his motorcycle but not more than showing off his pickup truck. His green beauty was always cleaned and shined and he could never drive thru town without someone offering money to buy it. He had a passion for college football especially OU. In the 70’s you could find him talking away on the CB or hanging out with the CB club. He loved watching professional wrestling and bragged he knew The Briscoe Brothers Jack and Gerry Briscoe. The old Westerns, especially Gunsmoke were his comfort and relaxation. Jim could be found at the local coffee shop with the “old fart” group catching up on all the town gossip and then would gladly came home and share the news. Who needed a newspaper when you had the coffee shop update.

Jim was a simple man who was satisfied with what God provided. No fancy home or designer clothes or expensive food. A good home cooked meal, he always claimed his girl was the best cook, his family filling his home with laughter and hugs, a simple ball cap and his girl by his side and he was happy and claimed to be the richest man alive.

Throughout their 65 years of marriage, Jim and Wanda showed the world what true love was and what a loving marriage looked like. He was a hard worker who always provided for his family. Jim would always say Wanda was the love of his life and as long as he had his girl by his side nothing else in the world mattered. Jim was a dedicated and loving father to his children, but he was also a strong loving father figure to several nieces and nephews who had lost their own fathers.

On January 17, 1997 Jim gave his life to Christ and was baptized at the Church of Christ in Henryetta, Oklahoma. He would say you ain’t going to Heaven without me. In the following years, he shared his love of the Lord and made sure many of his family members were saved. Throughout his sickness his faith did not wavier. He always said he wasn’t scared or worried, if it was his time it and God was in charge. In his final days, he would say he was ready to go home and hold his son again.

Left to navigate this world without his love is his beloved and dedicated wife of 65 years Wanda of the home Blackwell, OK. His three daughters Laurey Ann Brennan and husband Glenn of Lawton, Oklahoma; Virginia Arlean Pingry and husband Bud of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Carol Suzanne (Susie) Burgert and husband Ray of Dodge City, Kansas; and 1 Daughter- in- Law Sherrie Beck of Blackwell, Oklahoma. 10 Grandchildren Kaetlyn Feldman and husband Steven of Lawton, Oklahoma; James Brennan of Lawton, Oklahoma; Kayla Beck of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Christian Beck of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Ryan Beck of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Alia Beck of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Paige Wells and husband Dan of Edmond, Oklahoma; Zachery Pingry of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Matthew Pingry of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Clark Burgert of Dodge City, Kansas. 6 Great Grandchildren: Finley James Feldman, Ryder Miller, Wrenleigh Beck, Addison Beck, Benaiah Wells, Brielle Wells. 5 Brothers: Charles Beck of Keys, Oklahoma; Timothey Beck of Colcord, Oklahoma; Donald Beck of Kansas, Oklahoma; David Beck of Colcord, Oklahoma; Keith Beck of Colcord, Oklahoma. 1 Sister-in-Law Bonnie Buxton Gingerich of Newton, Kansas. 1 Special Cousin Shirley Philpott of Gentry, Arkansas. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents Woodrow and Ethel; Step Mother Marge Beck; his Son Jimmy Lee Beck; 2 Sisters: Ida Mae Fisher and Elnora Day; 2 Brothers: Elmer Ray Beck and Darrell Beck; 4 Sister-in-Laws: Mildred Wilson, Eva Rancier, Patsy Bray, Cleta Skaggs; 5 Brother-in-Laws: Arlie Bray, Norman Buxton, Marvin Rancier, Ronnie Bray and Gary Skaggs; 1 Son-in-Law Johnny Dewey; a Special Aunt Dorothy Asher; and a Special Cousin- in- Law Ronnie Philpott.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held Thursday July 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Chapel at the Blackwell Cemetery with his special son-in-law, Glenn Brennan officiating. The casket will be closed. Burial will immediately follow at the Blackwell Cemetery under the care of Amy Stittsworth Funeral Services of Enid, Oklahoma.

With honor, privilege and love Jim’s 6 Grandsons: James Brennan, Christian Beck, Ryan Beck, Zachery Pingry, Matthew Pingry, and Clark Burgert will assume the role as Casket Bearers and carry their grandpa to his final resting place.

The family would like to honor the following people who were special and dear to Jim as Honorary Casket Bearers: his 2 Son-in-Laws Bud Pingry and Ray Burgert; His 3 Grandaughters: Kaetlyn Feldman, Alia Beck and Paige Wells; and The Quilting Gals: Anita Craig, Barbara Shoemaker, Gloria Ann Hall, Norma Vaughn, Deborah Vails, and Ruby Campbell.

The family would like to give special thanks and acknowledgements to the following: Various churches around the country who continually prayed for Jim’s recovery and for the family; To the friends and family members who have reached out with their support and prayers; The very caring and dedicated team at Integris SW Hospital in Oklahoma City who made sure that Jim’s last hours on this earth counted and the he mattered and was loved and cared for, especially Nurse Virginia(Verge). Stillwater Medical Blackwell Emergency Team for their care and patience; Blackwell Emergency Transport Team for taking such gentle care in transporting Jim on numerous trips back and forth from home to hospital; Miller Ambulance of Medford drivers who showed care and compassion on the long transports to Wichita Hospital and Oklahoma City Hospital: Precision Home Health for their kindness, understanding and gentle care especially Nurse Jenny.

“The Angels beckon me from heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”

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