James Robert “Buddy” Beck, affectionately known as Buzzy, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on the morning of August 16th after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. Buddy was born in 1934 in Petrey, Alabama, to Bobbie Lee Beck and Clara Dendy Beck, with one sister, Frances Beck Grouby. Throughout his life, Buddy was active and invested in his community, his education, and his family. He graduated from Brantley High School, lettering in all sports and serving as Valedictorian of his class.
Buddy received a full-ride scholarship to Vanderbilt University and graduated with a B.S. in Engineering. During his time at Vanderbilt, he was a member of the DKE fraternity and active in intramural sports.
Upon graduation, he entered the Army as a commissioned officer where he served for two years as Captain. In 1957, during his service, he married Una Harrison Beck. Together they had four children: Bob, Bryan, Benjie, and Beth.
In 1963, the family moved to Huntsville, Alabama where Buddy spent the majority of his career working for Teledyne Brown Engineering as an Aerospace Engineer. For years he played on the company football and softball teams, and he excelled as a switch-hitting, left fielder until he retired in 2004.
During his retirement, he put his love of architecture and background in engineering to use on many projects. Buddy was a jack-of-all-trades. He was a tinkerer – when anything needed fixing or updating, he was ready with a pad of paper and a shop full of tools. He loved old cars, in particular his vintage ‘76 GMC pickup, and enjoyed attending car shows. He liked working in his yard, fishing, and playing sports. Buddy was known for his athleticism. He played softball up until his 70s, could walk on his hands, and complete a one-armed pushup even in his 60s. Buddy enjoyed his beach house in Orange Beach with his family. From camping to beach trips, ball practice to making forts in the backyard, his retirement was not spent idly.
Buddy was a proud and active member of the Monrovia Community. He was a founding member of the Monrovia Men’s Club and a member of the Huntsville Optimist Club. Buddy looked forward to weekly golf outings with his buddies: Thompson, Gerald, Elmer, and Ken. He coached baseball for many years, watching his children grow up on the ball fields. Buddy also carried the chain for Sparkman High School football games so often, he received an accommodation for service to Sparkman athletics.
Above all, he enjoyed serving as a member of Ford’s Chapel United Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist Church in the State of Alabama. He and his family joined the congregation in 1963. Buddy became the Minister of Music and volunteered in this capacity for 36 years. Buddy was an original member of the ramp-builders group, where he built handicap accessible ramps for members of the community. In addition, he led the church Barbershop Quartet, served yearly during Vacation Bible School, and designed and built the steeple, vestibule, and stained-glass windows for the original church building. Upon his passing, Buddy was the longest-serving member of Ford’s Chapel Methodist Church.
Buddy was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Una Harrison Beck, his son, James Robert Beck (Dawn); daughter, Frances Elizabeth Vandiver (John); and his daughter-in-law, Zeny Tulagan Beck. He greatly loved his grandchildren: Megan Renee Beck, Lauren Vandiver Pelto (Tommy), Taylor Vandiver Reeder (Drake), and Bryan Douglass Vandiver (Katie), in addition to his two great-grandchildren, James Allen Reeder and Evelyn Grace Pelto. Buddy Beck was preceded in death by his sons, Bryan Dendy Beck and Benjamin Dale Beck.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 18th at 10:00 AM in the Ford’s Chapel United Methodist Church sanctuary, with a funeral service following at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Tom Kelly, Jim Kilpatrick, Joe Morton, Tommy Pelto, Drake Reeder, and Mike Watson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ford’s Chapel Methodist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
