James R. Beckley

CHANDLER, ARIZONA — James R. Beckley, Sr., 93, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on June 1, 2025.

The SOB* has died. (*Sweet Old Boy - per his request).

Born in Bellepoint, Ohio, on Feb. 2, 1932, Jim was one of six children, born to Samuel Park and Clarissa Isabel (McClary) Beckley, and the last of his siblings to pass.

Jim was raised during the Great Depression. It was during this time he was molded into the man he became: a hard-worker, resourceful, reliable, and generous to others. Despite the struggles of the Depression and working on the family farm, Jim graduated from Bellepoint High School in 1950.

Jim was drafted into service during the Korean War in 1952. He actively served in the U.S. Army until 1953, and remained in inactive service until 1960, when he was honorably discharged — something he took great pride in. After returning home, he married his wife of seventy-one years, Mary Lou (Watkins). Jim and Mary Lou moved the family from Ohio to Arizona in the late 1960s and began a new life in the desert. Jim spent the majority of his life in Arizona, but his heart always belonged to Ohio. It was there that he created many memories, formed lifelong relationships, and where they began their family. As Mary Lou once said, "Jim and I left Ohio a long time ago. He's in Arizona, but his heart has always been in Ohio."

He dipped his toes in a variety of jobs after the military before establishing a career as a mechanic at Phoenix Transit in 1978. After twenty years, Jim proudly retired from Phoenix Transit as Head Mechanic.

Jim was a man who called it like he saw it. He was blunt, funny, and unapologetically himself. He was an avid golfer, internet researcher, and had a wealth of random facts he loved to share. He enjoyed sweets; watching movies, especially Westerns and comedies; passionately discussing historical events and sharing his knowledge and opinions with anyone who took the time to listen. Jim left his mark: sharp-witted, unmistakable, and entirely his own. Jim has been described as "an original," and that is fitting for his personality, his beliefs, and his savant-like ability to remember even the smallest details of most events.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; his children, Diana and James Jr. (Jim); four grandchildren, David, Michel, Jamie and Joanna; five great-grandchildren, Seth, Seven, Daylee, Margot and Evan; and one great-great-grandchild, Mae.

No services will be held.