Charles Richard Beck Sr., age 80, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. He was born December 1, 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Wilbur H. Beck and Kathryn Sneed Beck. After moving to Memphis, he attended and graduated from White Station High School where he was known as "Fish". He went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from Memphis State University in 1967. He worked for the Aquatarium (St. Petersburg, Florida), the Aquarium of Niagara Falls (New York), and Gulf World (Panama City, Florida). In 1970, he began his career at the Memphis Zoo where he was the curator of the aquarium and reptiles for most of his tenure. He retired in 2005. He also served on the Board of Directors for Briarcrest Christian Schools. He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Elizabeth Ann Beck. He is survived by his sons, Rick Beck, Scott Beck (Leann), and Mike Beck (Mindy); and grandchildren, Lesley Ward, Kathryn Beck, Brandon Beck, and Tatiana Gomez.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday, July 30 from 12:30 until 1:30 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. His life will be celebrated and remembered at his funeral service at 1:30 PM, at the funeral home. Graveside committal service will immediately follow at Forest Hill East Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Memphis Zoological Society or Ridgeway Baptist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Beck family.
