Barbara Beck
May 29, 1930 — November 6, 2014
Barbara Terry Beck, a long time Kingman resident, passed away on November 6, 2014 in Boulder City, Nevada. Barbara was born on May 29, 1930, one of ten children. She grew up in the home her father built in Oracle, Arizona, a home that holds many, and continues to create, lasting memories for Barbara's extended family.
Barbara made a weekly commute with some of her siblings to Tucson, 40 miles away, to attend high school. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in Chemistry at the University of Arizona. It was while at the U of A that Barbara met her future husband, William H. Beck, and they were married in Oracle on June 3, 1951. Following graduation, Bill's career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs took him and Barbara to San Carlos, Arizona; Fort Yates, North Dakota; Nespelem, Washington; Keams Canyon, Arizona and Valentine, Arizona before their retirement in Kingman.
While living in Valentine and Kingman, Barbara worked as a schoolteacher. She was a woman of strong faith and an active member of the Kingman Presbyterian Church. Barbara served in several volunteer roles in Kingman, including at the Kingman Museum, as an officer for the Kingman chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, with The Literacy Council, as a polling place worker, and as a foster parent. Later in life, Barbara did extensive work tracing the genealogy of both her and Bill's families. She was an avid reader and had a passion for sewing. Barbara also enjoyed travel, having explored many locations within the United States as well as Scotland.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Leslie Root (Martin) of Henderson, NV, son Richard Beck (Joan) of Woodinville, WA, daughter Jo Anne Beck (Terry) of Kingman, AZ, son James Beck (Jeannie) of Albuquerque, NM, and son Robert Beck (Genji) of San Francisco, CA, six grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, nine siblings, and son Roger. Her family will always remember Barbara for her loving hand, her gentle spirit, her endless patience, and her warm smile. A private family celebration of Barbara's life is planned at a future date.