W. Gordon Beck

March 28, 1931 - June 19, 2011

Mr. W. Gordon Beck, age 80, husband of Doris Beck and a well known resident of Rutherford Lane in Columbia, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at his residence. Funeral Services for Mr. Beck will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 3:00 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Charles R. Norman, Jr. and Andrew Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Monday, June 20, 2011 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and in charge of the arrangements. A native of Corridon, Missouri, he was the son of the late Joseph Arthur Beck and the late Lola Ethel (Polk) Beck. He was wed to the love of his life, Doris Rayfield on July 03, 1954. He was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1961 where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. He also served our country in the United States Army. Mr. Beck had many great accomplishments in his life. His claim to fame here locally was that he opened the first New York Stock Exchange member firms branch office in Columbia, Tennessee in May of 1969 for Edward D. Jones & Co. He was the past president of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, past president of the United Givers Fund of Columbia, and past board member for the Maury County Chamber of Commerce. All of these things were wonderful accomplishments for Mr. Beck, but none of them could compare to where he found real fulfillment and that was in serving as a deacon and treasurer with his church, Jackson Heights Church of Christ. This quiet gentleman didnt have to tell others about the type of a man he was, it was evident in the life that he led. When his son was asked if he had a motto that he lived by, his response was that his dad didnt need a motto because he just lived by the Bible. He truly loved his family and doted on his grandchildren. In his earlier years he enjoyed gardening and relished the idea of being able to share the bounty from his garden with his family, neighbors and friends. In addition to his wife, Mr. Beck left to cherish his memory his son, Dwaine (Deborah) Beck of Columbia, TN; two daughters: Susan (Wayne) Petty of Athens, AL and Sandra (Stephen) Lovell also of Athens, AL; two brothers: Robert L. Beck of Lexington, KY and Fred Beck of Hawk Point, MO; one sister, Louella Pope of St. Peters, MO; seven grandchildren: Nick (Jessica) Beck, Geoffrey Beck, Emily Petty, Lisa Petty, April Petty, Cullen (Caryn) Lovell, and Valarie (Roger) Haislep; and we cannot fail to mention his devoted and loving caregivers: Gloria Lindsey and Leslie Hanson to whom the family is most grateful. In addition to his parents; Mr. Beck was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Burrel Beck, Orville Beck, and Glen C. Beck. Pallbearers will include: Nick Beck, Geoffrey Beck, Cullen Lovell, Roger Haislep, Stephen Lovell, and Wayne Petty. Honorary Pallbearers are Kiwanis of Columbia and the Elders of Jackson Heights Church of Christ. You may send private or public condolences to the Beck family at the Heritage Funeral Home website; www.heritage-fhcs.com; click on Send Private Condolences or Sign Guest Book .