John Beckman

John Edward Beckman passed away peacefully into the gates of Heaven on Thursday March 12, 2020 at Longwood Hospice after living a full life of 100 years.  He was surrounded by his wife Jane, to whom he was married for 76 years, and by his daughter and son in law, Debbie and Jim Phillips. He was also attended by the thoughts and love of many other family and friends.

John was born in Duluth, MN on November 24, 1919 to Stella and Gustave Beckman.

After early childhood in Minnesota his family moved to Fort Pierce, FL. Upon graduation from high school in Fort Pierce, John enlisted in the U. S. Army. Shortly thereafter he met Jane, the enduring love of his life. Prior to the outbreak of World War II he resigned from the army and joined the navy, where he served in the Pacific Theater throughout the war. In 1944, with the approval of Jane’s parents and her five older brothers, he married Jane in Kansas City, Missouri on January 28.

Following the war, John resigned from the navy and attended college on the GI Bill to become a CPA. He then fulfilled a career in accountancy with the federal civil service, retiring from the Defense Communication Agency.

After retirement, John and Jane lived in Virginia and Tennessee prior to settling in Florida. John was active in the Shriners, where he obtained a 32nd degree Mason. Music was big part of his life, and he combined music and Masonry by playing various instruments in Shrine Bands.

John nears the end of that cohort of the greatest generation who grew up during the Great Depression and served to defend this country during the great challenge of World War II.

John is survived by his wife Jane of Orlando FL, by his older daughter Jena and her husband, Robert Smart of Kilmarnock, VA; by his son William Beckman and his wife Teena of Capon Bridge, WV; and by his youngest daughter Debra and her husband Jim Phillips of Orlando, FL.

John expressed the desire that any memorial contributions be made to The Shriners Hospital in Tampa, FL.

Viewing will take place at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 18, 10:30am until time of service at 11:00am. Burial to follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, Florida.