Kenneth Wayne Beck Sr., 77, of Blackshear, passed away Friday morning, April 5, 2024, at his residence following a short illness.
Born March 25, 1947, in Berkley, California, he was a son of the late Charles Dowman and Clara Mae Compton Beck. He graduated in 1965 from Mount Diablo High School in Concord, CA and then entered the United States Navy in 1967, retiring in 1988 following a 21-year career. During his time in service, he was stationed mainly in Connecticut, Maine and Virginia, along with several other bases. He was a Chief Petty Officer, a Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator, Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator Electrical, an Electrical Journeyman, a submarine repairman and had served in the Vietnam War.
He moved to Lyons in 1986 and to Blackshear in 2009. Following his military career, he worked as a nuclear electrician at Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant in Baxley. He also served on the Plant Safety Committee and retired in 2011.
A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waycross, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the choir, served as a lector and was active doing whatever was needed to be seen about at the church.
He was also a member of the Friends of the Library and the IBU (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), and a former member of the Toastmasters.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Vivian Teresa Sweat Beck, Blackshear; three children, Ken Beck, Jr. (wife Kimberly), Blackshear, Diane Piper (husband Scott), Warner Robins and Timothy Beck, Beatty, Nevada; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Beck and Emily Beck, both of Blackshear and Brooke Piper, Warner Robins; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles Ray and Maria Beck, Dixon, CA and several other relatives.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 8, from the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2011 Darling Avenue, Waycross, with Father Vernon Knight officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
A graveside service will take place at 3 p.m. Monday, April 8, from the Lakeview Memorial Gardens, 4969 Georgia Highway 15, Vidalia.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
