James Wilson Beck

Lieutenant Colonel (RET) James Wilson Beck, Jr., born May 12, 1943, of Bloomfield, NJ, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 the morning of November 24, 2023, at his home in Chester, VA. He left behind his beloved wife, Andree (Luhrman) Beck, of 59 years; his devoted children, Julie Ellen Vazquez, of Chesterfield, VA, and Christopher James Beck & Shannon Waimun Beck, of Philadelphia, PA; his five precious grandchildren, James Edward Vazquez, Jade Monroe Vazquez, Mariah Ellen Cooper, Harper Sophia Beck, and Cayden Spencer Beck; and his sister, Ellen Margaret Winkowski. He is the son of the late James & Mary Beck.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and with a Masters Degree in Finance at the University of Michigan, a young "Jimmy" joined the Army in 1965. Lt. Colonel Beck was a highly decorated veteran of the Army that benefited from his years of dedication. His service included 2 tours in Vietnam primarily as a helicopter fighter pilot. After 26 years of command, and at dozens of bases both at home and abroad, he retired in 1989 at then Ft. Lee, VA. When he wasn't serving his country or raising his family, he loved to play racquet ball and bowling on his base, skiing in Vermont, and providing the correct question to every answer on Jeopardy. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, he also loved to watch sports. A true original, there will never be another like him. He will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, or your local Veterans Affairs Center in his name.
His viewing will be on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, 3050 W. Hundred Rd, Chester, VA. Viewing will also be available from 9am to 10:45am, prior to church service on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 11am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Route 1, South Chesterfield, VA, where all are welcome to attend. His final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony at the cemetery is being planned for late spring or early summer, and details will be announced when confirmed.