Jack Beck, of Centralia, passed away on March 15, 2022, after a recent diagnosis of cancer. His battle was short, and he spent his final weeks at home in the loving care of his daughters and wife.
Jack is survived by his wife of 33 years Susan and his daughters and step-daughters Jamie (Jed) Starr, Kelly (John) McIntee, Angie (Chris) Gelder, Amy (Aaron) Dunnagan, Megan (Clyde) Berry, and Jennifer Pertzborn. He is also survived by his only sister Cathy Scott, of Kennewick, and his favorite aunt, Linda Stewart, of Spokane.
He was affectionately called “Papa Jack” by his 12 grandkids: Kristi, Cody, Cali, Brooke, Caiden, Liberty, Gabriel, Lucas, Layne, Noelle, Susannah and Rebekah. He also has four great-grandchildren with another to be born this summer. Papa Jack was proud of his grandchildren and will be remembered for his unconditional love, his corny jokes, and that he always called his girls “sweetheart.”
Jack was born April 8, 1945 in Spokane, Washington. He spent his earliest years with his mother Dorothy Look, sister, and extended family in Eastern Washington and Montana, where he graduated from Missoula High School in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968 and was stationed in Vietnam and Germany. He was very proud of serving his country. After attending Bible college in South Carolina, Jack later relocated to the Centralia area, where he met and married Susan in 1988. Baby Angela was born a year later. Now there were six girls in a one bathroom house.
Jack worked as a custodian for the Centralia School District, retiring in 2009. The staff remembers him as a smiling and helpful man. He enjoyed playing local volleyball and was an avid bowler, often bowling on two different teams during the league year. His routines included working out twice a day at Thorbecke’s and faithfully attending church every week. Jack loved people and our Lord Jesus Christ. His friendliness and smile will be missed by all.
Family and friends are invited to attend a gathering to honor Jack on April 15, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Borst Park Kitchen No. 1 in Centralia.
