Roland Beck Sr

Roland Horton Beck, Sr., 93, passed on to the Lord on September 14, 2014. He was born April 9, 1921 in Beeville to Magnus and Ragna (Mehus) Beck. He graduated from A.C. Jones High School in 1939 and married Grace Naylor September 30, 1946 in the Beeville First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, his parents, Magnus Sr and Ragna Beck, two sisters, Halgerd and Thelma, two brothers, Rolf and Magnus Jr. and a daughter in law, Merry. He is survived by his four sons, Roland (Cindy) Beck Jr. of Portland, Texas, Robert Beck of Beeville, Rolf (Michele) Beck of Beeville, and Ronnie (Judy) Beck of Normanna; nine grandchildren, Trevor (Holly) Beck, Melissa (Nathan) McCray, Roland "Tres" (Toni) Beck III, Keleigh (Russell) Mertens, Kristen Parnell, Paige (Zach) Koff, John Parnell, Ronnie Beck II, and Ryan Beck; 13 great grandchildren, his dog and 5th son, Charlie, and numerous nephews and nieces. The pall bearers will be Trevor Beck, Roland (Tres) Beck III, Ronnie Joe Beck II, Ryan Beck, Magnus (Brand) Beck IV, Barrett Beck and Russell Mertens. Roland was a loving son to his parents. He tended to both of them faithfully through their latter years till they each departed to heaven. Roland was a loving, faithful husband to his wife, Grace, for over 65 years. Together, they provided a stable, loving homelife for their sons. Roland was very active raising his four boys instilling in them his values, morals and integrity. He supported and attended the Lutheran and Methodist churches regularly with his family. He worked very hard as a rancher providing for his family and putting their needs first. Roland served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp. He was stationed in the Azores, off the coast of Portugal receiving his honorable discharge as a corporal at the end of the war. He returned home to the Normanna area and worked the family ranch with his father and brother. He married Grace the following year. Roland was an avid sportsman enjoying deer hunting, quail and dove hunting, and fishing. He loved sports and enjoyed acclaim from others regarding his skills playing fast pitch softball with the North Bee County Giants as a pitcher, shortstop and power hitter. Roland served his community for eighteen years as a member of the Pettus School Board. During his tenure, all four of his sons graduated from Pettus and were handed their diploma from their father. He worked for the benefit of the students, faculty and the taxpayer ensuring everybody was fairly represented during his six terms. Roland was a member of the VFW and a proud veteran. He would wear his military cap every Memorial Day and Veterans Day and attend the local celebrations. The family wishes to give special thanks to his caretakers - Adela Delos Santos, Velma Rios and Maria Adame. The ladies took special care of Roland and developed a special, close bond with him and he with them. The family also wishes to thank the staff at Beeville Family Practice, especially Caryel Kruger, for Roland's medical treatment and the staff at Hacienda Oaks for their care of Roland while he was rehabilitating from an injury. His visitation will be held Friday, September 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 20 at Faith Lutheran Church Church at 10 a.m. with Rev. Don Taylor and Rev Gary Conklin officiating. He will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery.