George Tyson Beckman

George Tyson Beckman, at age 91 took the last leg of his journey home to the Lord, on April 9, 2025, surrounded by family who loved and adored him. Pilot, boat captain, poet, builder, pastor, and artist, George loved the freedom of flight, the exhilaration of adventure, and the celebration that comes with the experience of each dawn and dusk. He delighted in God’s creation, and its beauty above and below the water. He marveled at the Creator’s artistry as expressed in the interesting people he met, creatures he encountered, and beautiful landscapes he experienced over his lifetime.

George was born on December 15, 1933, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania to Howard and Ruth Beckman. He was the oldest of three boys. At age 11, George’s family moved to Long Beach, California, where he worked in his uncle’s lumber company during his high school years. At the age of 19, George enlisted in the military and entered the Aviation Cadet Training Program, where he spent 16 months in the Cadet Corp graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. George served in the US Air Force for 14 years as a fighter pilot flying the T33, F86, F102 and F106. Four of those years were spent in ´Etain, France, where he traveled extensively throughout Europe while off-duty, developing an appreciation for French food and wine, and nurturing his passion for auto-racing on European Grand Prix Tracks.

The military led George to meet the love of his life, Vanetta Sue Poppas from Kokomo, Indiana, on his assignment to Bunker Hill Air Force Base (aka Grissom AFB). They married in 1963 after his move to Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan as a part of the 71st Fighter Interceptor Squadron. With the impending birth of their first daughter in 1967, George left the Air Force to start the next chapter of his family life and aviation career in Miami, Florida as a commercial pilot with National Airlines.

Living in Miami fueled George’s love of flying and sailing. When he wasn’t flying routes as a captain for National and Pan American Airlines, George was catching the wind in his sails on Biscayne Bay or in the Bahamas, forming tight bonds and friendships with other boaters in the Dinner Key Cruising Club, selling sailboats with Biscayne Yacht Sales, and running private boat charters. He also enjoyed water skiing and windsurfing on the lake behind their home, beach volleyball, golf, tennis, strumming his guitar, spearfishing, and scuba diving.

George’s love of adventure and discovery led him to far away places. He sailed extensively throughout the Caribbean, captained a boat of missionaries to Fiji, and, together with his first-mate Vanetta, lived aboard their trawler “Rapture” for two years in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. They enjoyed their time as seafaring nomads, finding harbors and dropping anchor in remote places they called home, and making friends with other interesting and adventure-seeking boaters. They marked the end of each day with the tradition of blowing a conch horn at sunset. This tradition continued beyond their life at sea and during their years on land in Vero Beach, where they lived seaside for a few decades before moving closer to their daughter, Jill, in Cary, North Carolina.

His love of aviation and music inspired his newfound passion for sculpting with stainless steel at the age of 57. The beautiful lines of aerial maneuvers and musical notes inspired George’s creation of over six hundred kinetic sculptures that sold in prominent galleries throughout the United States. His hope was that his sculptures reflected the beauty of his Creator, brought joy to the viewer, and provided an opportunity to share his faith.

George was a mission driven man, living life with purpose and intention whether on the land, in the air, or at sea. He had an enduring love for his family, friends, those in need, and most importantly, for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who transformed his life. He and Vanetta served in prison ministry and pastored a beach church in George Town, Exuma in the Bahamas for several years with their treasured boating community.

George and his younger brother, Bill, enjoyed motorcycle rides on their Harley Davidsons out west, especially to their family-owned shack in the desert in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Their love and admiration for each other was forged out of a shared faith, their zeal for the open road, and the possibility of a good story emerging from every great ride together.

George was a masterful storyteller and captured many of his thoughts and perspectives in his writings. More than any other story, he loved sharing about his transformation through the redemptive power of the Lord and the hope and joy that flows from knowing that Jesus loves us more than we can ever comprehend.

Left to cherish his memory are Vanetta Beckman, his wife of nearly 62 years; daughter, Jill and husband, Bill Vanarthos; daughter, Amy Beckman; granddaughter, Olivia and husband, Josh Cianca; granddaughter; Madalyn and husband, Walker Renfrow; great granddaughter, Indigo Cianca; unborn great grandsons, Wallace Renfrow III (“Wallie”) and Cyprus Cianca; and brother, William (Bill) Beckman and wife, Jan.

George is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ruth Beckman; his brother, Richard (Dick) Beckman; and his nephew, Richmond Beckman.

Our family would like to extend sincere gratitude to all of our friends, family, and neighbors who have uplifted and sustained us through prayer, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness. We also are extremely grateful for Gladys Kimani who lovingly cared for George for three years, and to all the caregivers over the last several months, especially Janet Njoroge, who tirelessly helped to make his final days comfortable and joyful. Their care and compassion so beautifully exemplified the love of Christ, reminding us of Jesus’ words, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of George’s Life at the Regency at White Oaks Clubhouse, 2400 Beckwith Rd., Apex, NC 27523 on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Visitation with family and a display of George’s various works will begin at 1:30 pm. A service to include a time of sharing will begin at 2 pm with fellowship to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Samaritan’s Purse, Jesus Film Project, or Wounded Warrior Project.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/george-beckman-apex-nc/

https://www.jesusfilm.org/give/ways-to-give/memorials-living-tributes/memorial-form/

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/