Dean Beck

Dean Bryan Beck
August 16, 1928 - September 28, 2018
Funeral services for Dean Bryan Beck, 90, will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at First Christian Church in Wheatland, Wyoming with Pastor Casey Schroeder officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.
Dean "The Musicman" Beck passed away Friday, September 28, 2018, at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.
Dean was born on Thursday, August 16, 1928, in Grand Junction, Colorado to Edwin Ellery and Josephine Nadine (Taylor) Beck. He was raised and educated in Grand Junction, Colorado and graduated from Grand Junction High School on May 27, 1947. He attended Mesa College in Grand Junction and University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado graduating with a degree in music/education. He returned to Mesa College to teach music for 25 years. He was band director in Silt, Colorado, taught in various junior and senior high schools in Palisade and Fruita, Colorado, and numerous elementary schools in Orchard Mesa. For 35 years, he led the Mesa College and Grand Junction Community Symphony. From 1978 to his retirement, Dean worked for the Saint Vrain Valley School District where he taught at elementary, junior, and senior high schools and taught students privately for many years.
Dean married Donna Lee Stevenson on May 21, 1983, in Colorado.
Many of Dean's bands took first place awards at district contests in both school districts. He was named "Outstanding Colorado Music Educator". Dean conducted the Loveland Community Band and the church choir at First Methodist Church in Grand Junction.
Dean played in Big Bands all his life starting in high school with the Starlighters in Grand Junction and then played with the Modernaires in Colorado. He owned Dean Beck's Big Band in Colorado. He would play many engagements, but one of his favorites was in Cheyenne, Wyoming with the Cheyenne Dance Club.
Dean loved God and singing in the Chancel Choir, spending time with his family and friends, teaching his students, fishing, bird watching, the Denver Broncos, and going to Broncos training camps. He also loved photography and coin collecting.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents.
Dean is survived by his wife, Donna Lee (Stevenson) Beck; sister, Madeline (Bill) Roberts; children, Ava (Rich) Coleman, Bryan Beck, Donlee (Christine) Selman, Danlee (Gigi) Selman, Dianalee (Edward) Prime, and Deanlee (Robin) Selman; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the Wheatland High School Music Program, 1350 Oak Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201, First Christian Church, 95 Nineteenth Street, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201, Wyoming - Colorado National Multiple Sclerosis Society Chapter, 900 South Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, Colorado 80209, or P.A.W.S., PO Box 1501, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201.
The Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.