Merrill Beck

Merrill Beck, age 86, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 15, 2007, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. A celebration of Merrill's life will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave. Entombment in Johnson County Memorial Gardens Courtyard of Memories Mausoleum. While at the gathering of family and friends 2-3 p.m. Tuesday preceding the service, please take a moment to visit the Enduring Memories booth to create a personal remembrance for the family that they will cherish for years to come. The family suggests contributions in Mr. Beck's name be made to the American Heart Association, 6800 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212; Lenexa United Methodist Church, 9138 Caenen Lake Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; or to the Benevolent Care Fund at Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS 66611. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left online at the website www.dwnewcomers.com. Mr. Beck was born February 7, 1921, to Harry and Lora (Whiteker) Beck in Haviland, Kansas. He was a resident of the Kansas City area for the past 35 years. Merrill was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Air Force having served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of American Legion Post #68 in Hutchinson, Kansas and the Military Officers Association of America. He was also a member of Lenexa United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Abdallah Shrine, and was a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. Merrill also retired from BKD, where he worked as a seasonal tax preparer. Family was very important to Merrill. He was a dog lover, a Kansas City Royals fan, and loved spending time with all the family at his cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks where together they fished and water skiied. He even water skiied on an Air Chair when he was 80! He kept the family together, going on vacations to Key West and Mexico with the entire family. Merrill and Vida Ruth loved to travel, visiting 61 different countries and 29 islands. He loved square dancing with his bride of 66 years, Vida Ruth, with the "Dirty Dozen" square dance group. Merrill was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Vida Ruth; three sons and daughter-in-laws, Larry Richard and Dee Beck, Terry and Jean Beck, David and Lynnette JoeBeck; six grandchildren, Kimberly, Amber, Derek, Emily, Geordie and Timothy; four great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jacob, Brooke, Luke; and many adoring nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, at (913) 451-1860.