Don Beckman

Donald Harvey Beckman, age 90, died August 13, 2024, of natural causes at Fairwinds Senior Living facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He was born January 30, 1934, in Worland, Wyoming, to parents Harvey George Beckman and Faye Edna Johnston.

Don considered himself somewhat of a gypsy, not staying in anyone place very long. As a youth, he lived in Illinois and fished in the Mississippi River, in Montana, on a ranch, and later in Wyoming, to raise mink with his brother and mother.

At 15, he got his first car, a black 1931 Model A Ford. He painted the fenders and running boards Chinese yellow and talked about how it looked like a bumblebee. His affection for Model A Fords continued throughout his life.

Don graduated from high school in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1952. He married Barbara Lou Weeks in 1953, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He served in the Air Force for 8 1/2 years, serving during the Korean War era and through the Cuban Missile Crisis as a photo equipment repairman.

Leaving the Airforce, he settled his family in Utah, to attend college and began working for the Orem Police Department. Later he moved his family back to Idaho, where he engaged his mechanical talents in several areas, always maintaining his love of Model A’s.

He moved his family to Driggs, Idaho, where he would join the Idaho Army National Guard. He served for another eight years in the National Guard and was elected Sheriff of Teton County, counting among his accomplishments two major illegal drug arrests and a reputation as being tough and fair as Sheriff.

Don and wife Barbara moved on to pursue other dreams. They found themselves in Shelton, Washington; Hemet, California; and Bothell, Washington. Eventually they returned to Idaho Falls, where Barbara died after a decade’s long fight with cancer. He later married Sharon Forest and shortly after they moved to Fairwinds, Sharon passed away as well.

Don made friends easily and found a significant other in Lillian Abston at Fairwinds. He truly loved and appreciated “Lil”as they shared Don’s last few years together.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his only brother, Jack Leroy Beckman; his first wife Barbara and second wife Sharon; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Lyn Batté.

He is survived by his significant other, Lillian Abston; sons, Donald David (Lynn), Jack Lesley (Renita), Dennis Keith Beckman; and daughter, Deanna Lyn (Claude Kimball) Batté; as well as grandchildren, Zach, Chris and Payton Batté; Bryan, Rachel, Peter and Matthew Beckman; and ten great grandchildren.

The family has decided on having a private memorial service for Don.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com