Gary Lee Beckner

Gary was born on July 18th, 1948, in Clayton, NM to Hess and Ursula Beckner. He was the youngest of 5 children. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1966. Next, he attended Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas. While there, he performed with the International Choir for a year.

After working part time at the local AM radio station in Clayton while in high school, he decided to pursue a career in radio. He was a deejay for both AM and FM stations in Farmington, NM; Yuma, AZ and then moved to Midland, TX as the morning drive deejay at a local Country station. It is there where he met the love of his life and fell in love with her and her three children. They met in June of 1978 and were engaged in just 3 short months following a blind date. They married in December of that year with the kids in attendance. After their vows, he did not hesitate to become the Dad they needed, adopting them and proceeding to raise them as his own.

The family moved to Monahans a few years later to allow their busy lives to slow down, and their children to be raised in a small-town atmosphere. He tried his hand in the oil field, but settled at NAPA auto parts, working with his father-in-law, where he worked for 7 years. While there, they were active members of their church and community, and he spent many summers at the ballparks teaching young ladies softball as the coach of the Mustangs.

In the fall of 1988, they relocated to Austin Texas where he continued to work in auto parts at various dealerships. They lived in Central Texas until his mother-in-law’s illness necessitated a move back to Midland to help with her care. It was while in Midland he first noticed his tremors, and in 2007 he was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He continued in auto parts until his retirement in 2009 when progression of his illness required he stop working.

After retirement, they moved to San Antonio in search of better health care and resources to support his Parkinson’s disease, including the involvement of an excellent support group from Lone Star Parkinson’s Society. While in San Antonio, he was able to participate in many Parkinson’s programs including Big and Loud and Rock Steady Boxing.

He and Janice were very active in the church choir at First Christian Church of Midland and Gary sang as a guest tenor in the University Christian Church’s choir. Over the years, Janice and Gary sang numerous duets for friends and children at their weddings, as well as immortalized O Holy Night as their children’s favorite Christmas carol. Until his illness forced him to stop, they also enjoyed singing in the choir at Universal City United Methodist Church.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Hess and Ursla Beckner, his brother Ferol Beckner and his sister, Helen Kilburn.

When he was called to Heaven, he left behind cherished memories to be shared by his loving wife, Janice Beckner, of 44 years; his children Debbie (Ron) Hall, Bobby (Lorri) Beckner, Jennifer (Billy) Rodriguez and Renee (Jeff) Gumm; 14 grandchildren Cody (Skylar) Hall, Cassidy (Phillip) O’Neill, Corey Hall, Alyssa Hall, Jenavi Hall, Johnny Hall, Casey (Landri) Hall, Laci Hall, Ashlea (Matt) Newby, Jessica (David) Bradle, Emma Johnson, David Johnson, Sarah Johnson, and Gary Beckner Jr; and 13 Great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; 2 brothers, Weldon and Everet Beckner; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Remarkable Hospice, and especially Gary’s wonderful nurses, Erin and Esmi, for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days. Also, our granddaughter Jenavi for her commitment to the caring of her Papa.

I would also like to thank all our children and grandchildren who have been present and stepped up over the past 18 years. There have been multiple visits to the ER for various falls (we joked we had a frequent flyer card). They held our hands when we weren’t sure what was next and helped us to make the difficult decisions when they arose. They continued to pray when there wasn’t anything else to be done. They stepped in and stayed, so I could step out, or so Dad/Papa, could look at someone besides me!! They have represented Team Beckner in numerous 5K’s in support of Parkinson’s, even pushing him across the finish line in his wheelchair in 2022 allowing him to take FIRST in his age group.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave., Universal City, TX 78148. Or: Lone Star Parkinson’s Society 614-CS Business IH35 PMB51 New Braunfels, TX 78130

Family and Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave, Universal City, TX 78148 on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, at 11 am. There will be a reception to follow. Gary loved his Hawaiian shirts and wanted this to be a celebration of his life, so we are asking if you have one, please wear it, or just something colorful, to show that we agree, this is a celebration, he is free of all pain and suffering, and has joined his Lord and Savior.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/san-antonio-cremation for the Beckner family.