Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, cop, teacher, coach, soldier, counselor, writer, poet, trivia champion, local historian, family archivist, entertainer, world traveler of four continents, a product of public schools, collector of rare chess sets, twice graduated from the University of Memphis, two time candidate for public office, union lobbyist, scuba diver, and actor. Mike was a staunch patriot, who served his country by joining the Army, volunteering for Vietnam and then volunteering for combat duty. He fiercely supported our troops, but opposed the baseless war that was killing them. He retired after 25 years service with the Memphis Police Department, and was often approached by now not-so-young police officers who would tell him that he was a good lieutenant. In addition, he taught Criminal Justice at Shelby State Community College, and taught GED to the inmates at the penal farm. His life was truly one of service to his country, the city of Memphis, and his fellow man. Mike was a longtime member of Carnival Memphis, and was in the Grand Krewes of both Ennead and Ramet where he served on both Boards and was part of the Royal Court serving as Duke and Flagman. Mike was a Master Mason and a Shriner. His best friends were those still close to him from high school.
Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Cynthia Guidi Beck, his father, Robert Owen Beck, Jr., mother, Mary Elizabeth Patty Beck, and stepmother Ola Mae Smith Beck. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Enochs Beck, sons, Bo Beck (Merrie), and Jonas Bari, daughters, Heather Mills (Steve), Lauren Williams, Abby Cossar (Josh), a sister, Patricia Drodofsky(Mike) of Lithopolis, Ohio, and three brothers, Robert Owen Beck, III, Richard Beck, and Steve Beck, and his grandchildren, Andrew and Anna Beck, Laney and Hudson Mills, Rylee Roper, Peyton French, and Tatum Bari.
Visitation will be from 1:00pm to 2:00pm on Saturday, August 5 at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd, Bartlett, TN. Services will follow at 2:00pm.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Beck family.
