Walter Henry Beckley
Walter Henry Beckley, a true member of our "Greatest Generation" passed away suddenly on July 10, 2015 in Fort Collins, CO. Walt has now been reunited with the love of his life, his wife Dorothy. Walt led an exceptionally interesting and full life for all of his 92 years. Walt was born February 15, 1923 in Delta, Co, the sixth of seven children of Walter Henry Beckley Sr. and Elinore (Gilmer) Beckley. Walt's family were early Colorado settlers with his Grandfather settling in Delta after Civil War service. Walt's father worked in the mines of Leadville and Tin Cup, Colorado. Walt Sr. was often away from his family for long periods of time. When Walt's mother Elinore died when he was just 5 years old, Walt Jr. moved in with his just-married nineteen year old sister to be raised by her along with two other sisters in Delta.
Walt graduated from Delta High School in 1941. In January 1942, just after Pearl Harbor was attacked Walt rode the train to Denver to enlist in the Navy. He was trained as an aircraft mechanic and served on the carrier USS Kearsarge in the Pacific. It was while serving in the Navy that Walt met his true love, Navy nurse Dorothy Richards. They were married April 23, 1948 in New York City. He was Honorably discharged in 1948.
After discharge from Navy service Walt interviewed for a job with what he knew as an "oil company overseas"In 1951 he began working for The Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) retiring in 1981 after a 30 year career. He lived and worked in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia which became his second home. Walt spoke fluent Arabic learned from the Bedouins of the area. In the late 1970's and early 1980 Walt flew the Oil Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia to world OPEC meetings. In 1981 Walt retired to Fort Collins where he continued to keep very busy on his 5 acre farm. Every Thursday Walt could be found irrigating his pastures and took pride in his beautiful trees and gardens. Walt enjoyed working his land on his tractor and had a gift for fixing anything mechanical. Walt led a truly amazing and full life, remaining exceptionally healthy and active until the moment of his death.
When friends and family think of Walt the words that most describe him are "world class gentleman". All who knew Walt could trust that this exceptional man would treat them with kindness and dignity. He was humble and hard-working, always thinking of others first. Walt accepted everyone for who they were. He was an intelligent and caring man whose world view always remained open and active. Walt valued education and never stopped reading papers, watching news, and being interested in the world around him. He loved his family deeply and was devoted to his wife until her death on August 1, 1999, and was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to the end of his days.
Walt is survived by his daughter Barbara Heffington and her husband Greg of Fort Collins, CO, his granddaughter Nicole Heffington of Seattle, his granddaughter Ashley Dionne and her husband Gideon of Seattle, and great grandson Finn Dionne of Seattle. Walt is survived by his younger sister Dena Mae Davis of Manhattan, KS, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many, many friends who will miss Walt dearly.
It was Walt and Dorothy's wish that their ashes be reunited in death. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. September 10, 2015 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A, in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers gifts can be made for the St. Joseph's Lakota children at St. Joseph's Indian School. St. Josephs Indian School, P.O. Box 326, Chamberlin, SD 57326.