Jeffrey Allan Beckham was born on 24 March 1948 in Gary, Lake, Indiana. He died on 6 July 2013, at age 65, in Colstrip, Rosebud, Montana. He was buried in Forsyth Cemetery, Forsyth, Rosebud, Montana.
US Army- Vietnam.
2 Jeffrey Allan Beckham was a Police Officer/ Budd Company/ Kaiser Steel/ Montana Power / PP&L Power Plant.
2 Through the grace of a merciful God our loving husband and father left peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of July 6th to continue his journey home. There he would be greeted by his dad, Joe Beckham and his mother and step-father Doris and Ken Bullock. His mother-in-law Carleen most certainly was there holding his hand to help lead the way, as he had so lovingly held hers at the time of her passing.
Jeff was born in Gary Indiana where he lived most of his childhood until moving to Houghton Lake, Michigan with Mom and Ken. There he graduated from high school and at 18 was drafted into the Army, proudly serving nearly 2 years in Vietnam. He also served with the military police while stationed in Italy and Germany. In 1970 he was honorably discharged and began romancing the love of his life, Gail Sullivan. They were married October 23, 1971, and lived in Portage, Indiana where Jeff was employed as a police officer until their move to Anaconda, Montana in 1972. They returned to Indiana prior to the birth of their first child, Jennifer. There their family grew, as they welcomed David and Heather. During that time Jeff completed his millwright apprenticeship and worked for the Budd Company. In April 1979 they moved to Riverside, California where he worked for Kaiser Steel. In 1983 the family moved to Colstrip, Montana where Jeff was employed with the Montana Power and PP&L power plant. In addition, Jeff owned and managed The Lovin Oven bakery alongside his wife Gail and mother-in-law Carleen until 1989.
After 1 ½ years of retirement, Jeff went to work for Colstrip Schools working in maintenance and as a bus driver. He enjoyed his bus driving more than any other job he held and thoroughly enjoyed that time with the students.
Jeff was a hard worker, proud family man and loyal friend. He was most proud of his Irish heritage and military service. His popular delectable variety of homemade cheesecakes will be missed by many!!
Jeff, "Something very special which I cannot define happened to me one day, when your life touched mine. The touching of our lives, especially your touching me, made me a better person, never the same to be. Sweet memories of that day, now cling without my clutching, because our paths still cross and our souls are touching. I have loved and been loved more than I thought was ever possible". My love for eternity, Gail.
Jeff is survived by his wife Gail, son David and daughters Jennifer (Gene) Haddock, and Heather. He leaves behind six beautiful grandchildren, Owen (Kinsey), Kayla, Morgan, Emily Taylar and Kenzie; step-mother Delores Beckham, siblings Joe & Pam Beckham, Vicki Lee Burke, Kathy and Terry Benson, Michele & Paul Beausolieu, John & Sue Beckham, James & Cindy Beckham, Jerry & Marilyn Beckham, Teresa King, Jay and Melonie Beckham & Sheri Ann Brown; brothers and sisters-in-law Cary & Pat Sullivan, Leo & Mary Sullivan, Nancy Taylor & Dan & Lora Sullivan. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews & one very special "adopted" daughter, Brandi Bruns. He will be sorely missed by his canine shadow and best buddy, "Bailiff".
He is preceded in death by his parents & brothers Donald &Bob and sister-in-law Carolyn.