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Douglas Eugene Beckham

1921-2010
Douglas Eugene Beckham |

Douglas E. Beckham, 88, Spearfish, died Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Dorsett Health Care Center in Spearfish.

Visitation will be Thursday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. The family will be present at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 12, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Burial will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.



Douglas Eugene Beckham was born, April 20, 1921, in Newell, SD, to Harvey and Francis (Webb) Beckham. Doug, his three sisters and three brothers, grew up on the family farm near Newell. He graduated from Sturgis High School. Doug married June Bracewell, of Vale, SD, on July 13, 1940. Doug’s life love was to farm. They bought his grandparents farm, near Newell, in 1945. Doug and June lived on the home place, farming and ranching forty-four years. Three children were born to this union, Dennis, Gary and Sharleen. Besides raising crops, Doug enjoyed raising registered Hampshire and Corriedale sheep. Doug and the kids traveled in the summers showing top quality sheep at many local shows, State Fairs and national events. Doug also had a knack for raising feeder cattle and was a regular at the cattle sales. There were always horses on the place too, and lots of fun was had hooking up a horse to a cart and hearing stories of his childhood years with the family horses.

After selling the farm, the couple lived in Vale fourteen years, in a house across the street from where June grew up. Doug still couldn’t get away from the farm and spent many days helping at his son’s ranch operation. Now the winters usually found them on the road with their 5th wheel camper, headed south to explore and hang out in warmer climates. They visited many sites across the US in their travels from coast to coast. Later retirement years were in Belle, then Spearfish, SD.



Doug is survived by his wife, June Beckham, Spearfish; a sister, Althea Matz, Sturgis; three children, Dennis (Ann) Beckham, Piedmont, Gary Beckham, Boise, ID, and Sharleen (Jerry) Bergum, Sturgis; ten grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren, all who are grateful for having been a part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Donald, Willard, and Bruce; and two sisters, Patricia Given and Juanita Matz.

A memorial is being established to the Newell Stud Ram Show and Sale.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.kinkadefunerals.com.