Dwight Beckham Sr.
1931 - 2018
Obituary
Dwight Russel Beckham Sr. passed away
on Friday (Aug. 24, 2018) at his home in Hesston.
Dwight was born in Lamont, Oklahoma, on
April 25, 1931, to Wick G. and Gladys (Channel) Beckham.
At the age of 19, he married Helen June
Barney. They were married on March 21, 1951, at College Hill United
Methodist Church in Wichita. They enjoyed family times, cross country
bicycling and they took many memorable family vacations throughout
the United States and Canada. They were married for 62 years prior to
her passing in January 2014.
Dwight lived in Lamont, Carmen and
Alva, Oklahoma, before moving to Planeview in 1942. After their
marriage, he and Helen moved to Valley Center, Newton, Marion County
Park and Lake and Hesston.
Dwight was a quiet and reserved man who
loved music, teaching and working with the many students he taught
throughout his career. He was a composer, always composing music in
his mind. He loved his family and was very proud of his grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Dwight spent 11 years as band director
at Valley Center, 19 years as band director at Newton, two years as
trumpet instructor at Wichita State University and 10 years as
adjunct trumpet instructor at Bethel College. He played trumpet in
the Wichita Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, the 97th Army Band for
two years, the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra for a period that
spanned more than 40 years and the Wichita Wind Ensemble Professional
Band.
He enjoyed a 64-year professional
career as a trumpet player. When he was not teaching or performing,
he composed music for band and orchestra. He had several publications
and a recorded CD. Dwight was quick to volunteer to play "Taps"
at military committal services to honor veterans.
He is survived by three children:
Christine (Robert) Carlton of Hesston,
Jan (Dallas) Hodges of Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma, and Dwight Jr. (Kathy) of Wichita; six grandchildren: Steve
(Heather) Girk of Bradenton, Florida, Stuart (Brittni) Girk of
Lenexa, Julia Collins (Noah) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Russel
Beckham and Sidney Beckham of Newton, and Lauren Hodges of Broken
Arrow, Oklahoma; six great-grandchildren; four nieces; four nephews;
several great-nieces and nephews; and his brother, Kenneth (Joan)
Beckham of St. Charles, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his wife,
Helen Beckham; parents, Wick and Gladys Beckham; sister, Dortha Anne
Bargen; and brother, Hugh Beckham.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2
p.m. Saturday (Sept. 1, 2018) at the First United Church of Christ in
Newton. A visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 30,
2018) at Petersen Funeral Home of Newton. The family will greet
friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests
the memorials be made to the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra,
120 W. Sixth St., Newton, KS 67114. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
1931 - 2018 (87 years)