Memorial
Laurence “Larry” Irving Beckett, 95, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids. Memorial Service: 11:00 am Saturday, January 21, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church in Marion. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, January 20, 2017. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Larry was born September 8, 1921 the son of Irving and Emma (Watts) Beckett in Colby, Kansas. His family moved to Boone County, Iowa when he was just three years old. Larry graduated from Jordan High School in Jordan, Iowa in 1939. There he had met and dated his wife to be, Margaret “Peggy” Macdonald. They were married on February 4, 1942 in Los Angeles, California.
He was in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Ames, Iowa until 1941, when he went to Los Angeles and worked for the Bank of America. In 1943 he served with the United States Coast Guard until his discharge in 1945.
Larry attended Iowa State College and Drake University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in accounting. He worked for John Morrell and Co. in Ottumwa, Iowa for five years. Larry then moved to Cedar Rapids and worked for Collins Radio, now Rockwell-Collins, until his retirement in 1982. He was also a Marion Police Reserve Officer for seven years.
He joined First Presbyterian Church in Marion in 1954 and remained a loyal member. Larry served on many committees, including several terms as Elder and Trustee.
Family and the church were very important to Larry. He was considered by all who knew him as a gentle man with a great sense of humor. Larry had many friends and was loved very much.
Survivors include his son, Mark (Linda) Beckett of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Chelsea Lee of Los Angeles; sister, Mary Woods; Katie’s mother, Julie Beckett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; granddaughter, Katie Beckett; parents; two brothers, Bill and George Beckett; and brother-in-law, John Woods.
Memorials may be directed to the family in memory of Larry.