He was the only son of Grace and Max Beck and was born in San Angelo, Texas on January 4, 1932.
He was a proud member of San Angelo High School class of 1950 and went on to graduate from Texas Tech University before enlisting in the U.S. Army in January 1955.
He spoke fondly of the men he trained with at Fort Benning, Georgia and later of his time as an instructor at Fort Riley, Kansas. He retired as a first lieutenant.
On May 14th 1955 he married the love of his life, Jayne Charless.
After his time in the military, Jayne and Bernard returned to San Angelo where he joined his father-in-law, Henry Charless, at Sherwood Oil Company. They later acquired Maverick Oil Company, successfully growing the businesses until he sold them upon his retirement.
Jayne and Bernard shared 38 years and raised three children together before she died in 1993. Bernard was a wonderful father and he leaves a legacy of strength, family unity, and a focus on what is important in this life. He was a people person, tremendously kind, interested, and invested in others.
Bernard was a wonderful storyteller and he had many great stories to tell. His friends and family dearly loved his good natured sense of humor intertwined with a little bit of mischief. He was hardworking, lots of fun, and principled. He will be long remembered as a good man with a big heart.
He was a true Texas gentleman.
Bernard loved his country and especially San Angelo. He was active in Kiwanis club, a deacon at First Presbyterian church, and appointed to the Civil Service Commission. He was chairman of the Chamber's education committee and later became the President of the Chamber of Commerce.
Bernard served on the Board of Directors for Texas State Bank.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Beck Upham and her husband Robert; his sons, Brandon Beck and his wife Suzanne, and Kyle Beck and his wife Tisha; Grandchildren, Ashley Upham Steormann and her husband, Steve; Slade Upham and his wife, Sadie; Olivia Upham; Grace Beck Higgins, and her husband Steve; Emily Beck and Pierce Beck; Madeline Beck, Anna Beck, and Jane Beck; and four great-grandchildren, Jackson Steormann, Fitzgerald Steormann, Larkin Upham, and Taylor Higgins. His sister, Beverly Blum; nieces and nephews; Al Blum, Fred Blum, Norm Blum, Judy Brennen; Lisa Pollard, Jim Pollard, and his wife Wendy, and their children, Charless, Sophia, and Tripp. Dear friend and ex wife, Carolyn Holcomb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council or the San Angelo Area Foundation.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 27th at 11:00 AM
Honorary pallbearers include Jack Albert, Dan Brown, Roger Dolliver, David Harrison, Bob Housely, Lad Linthicum, and Mark McLaughlin
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