Donald Wayne BECKSTROM

Donald Wayne Beckstrom

Donald Wayne Beckstrom, 63, answered the Lord's call on Oct. 23, 2008, at his residence in Virginia Beach. He was born July 1, 1945, in Arlington. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Phyllis B. Beckstrom.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Leslie Beckstrom and one niece, Donna Lynn Helmintoller. He is survived by his mother, Eloise Alcock Beckstrom of Lynchburg; his sister, Frances Ann Beckstrom Helmintoller and her husband, Stanley, of Evington; his nephew, Scott Wayne Helmintoller and his children JD, Christopher and Emma of Evington; his niece Holly Dee Helmintoller Choo and her husband, Joeseph, of Evington; and his sister-in-law Debra Black of Concord.

He found his calling early as a radio announcer by building his own radio transmitter and broadcasting music and patter around the neighborhood in Norfolk. He soon found employment with Christian Broadcasting Network as one of their first radio announcers for WXRI in the early '60s. He was an announcer and talk-show-host in Lynchburg, with WLGM/WJJS and subsequently moved to Virginia Beach at WVAB; Pittsburgh, Penn.; Suffolk WFOG and lastly at WNIS in Norfolk as a newscaster.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at Diuguid Waterlick Chapel. Interment will be at the historic Forest Baptist Church cemetery, Two Church Lane, Forest. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 26, 2008, at the funeral home and at the Carrington, Lynchburg following the burial. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Heart Association or Concord Fire and Rescue, Concord, VA.

For online condolences, please vist duiguidfuneralservice.com.