Larry Beightol

Larry Beightol (Coach Beck), age 81, died on April 4, 2024, of heart failure, dementia, and complications of diabetes in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born on November 21, 1942, in Pittsburg, PA. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marian, his daughter, Kristin, brother Jerry (Carol) and nephew, Aaron Beightol, (Leslie, nieces, Alison Beightol, Emily Beightol, Deyerie Lee) and sister-in-law, Jennifer Lafley (Pete) and many beloved cousins and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Ruth Beightol, his brother, Neale Beightol Sr., his nephew, Neale Beightol, Jr.
Larry spent his childhood in Winburne, PA in western PA. He and his buddies had many adventures including swims in the local quarry which was nicknamed "Bare Bottom Beach," for obvious reasons. Larry always swore that his mother loved him the best of his two brothers, and he was able to sweet talk his way out of all sorts of situations that made for good stories. During his high school years, he had to decide between playing the clarinet or football. He considered what girls like and decided on football. After graduating from West Branch High, he accepted a football scholarship from Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina. He graduated with a BA in 1964 and married his college sweetheart, Marian Simons, a month later. He received his M. ED from the College of William and Mary in 1967. Aside from years of working summers on construction sites, his first real job was a high school football coach and history teacher at Salisbury High School in NC for one year, and then at Lee-Davis High School in Richmond, VA for 3 years. He got the break of a lifetime when the legendary coach, Marv Levy, offered him a defensive line coaching job at the College of William and Mary. He and Marian had just celebrated the birth of their beautiful daughter, Kristin. Lou Holtz became the head coach the following year and moved him to the offensive Line. Thus began a 13-year tenure with Larry and Coach Holtz.
His college coaching career as an offensive line coach included stints at: William and Mary, 1968-1971, North Carolina State, 1972-1975, Auburn, 1976, University of Arkansas, 1977-1982, and University of Missouri, 1983-1984. Larry's goal for his college lineman was to make them the best players and people that they could be. This philosophy carried him through the rest of his career. He was considered a tough coach by his players, but also a man who was compassionate and caring.
Larry began his NFL (Not-For-Long) career in 1985 when he was offered the offensive line coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons. For the next 22 years, he coached on the following teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1987-1988, San Diego Chargers 1989, New York Jets 1990-1994, Houston Oilers 1995, Miami Dolphins 1996-1998, Green Bay Packers 1999-2004, and the Detroit Lions in 2005.
Coaching is hard on a family with the long hours and constant moves. Larry knew this and tried to be the best father and husband that he could be. The family once made three moves in a 14-month time span, from Tampa to San Diego and then to New York. When Marian was interviewing for yet another teaching job on Long Island, Larry drove her to an interview in Northport, NY. Her nerves were shot, but he kept saying, "You are the Best! Now, go get them!" Marian flew out of the car as if discharged from a cannon and aced the interview. His confidence in her buoyed her spirits, just like he did with many players.
Larry and Marian moved back to Fayetteville in 2006 and Larry became the ardent Razorback fan just like he had once been as a coach. He followed the football team and also the baseball team. They spent summers at their cottage in Franklin, Vermont for 13 years., where he joined an "old man's walking group" and became such a favorite at the town diner that they named a breakfast sandwich for him. He loved all animals, and when at home, he sat surrounded by his dogs as they fought to get on his lap.
Years of working 12 hours a day for 6 days a week took a toll on Larry's health. To his very last breath, he fought the good fight and felt that he was one of the luckiest men on Earth. He always said he was a simple man who loved his wife, his daughter, his parents, his brothers, his home state of Pennsylvania, and of course, his beloved players. He was known for his generosity and fun-loving spirit. He truly enjoyed his career as a coach, not just the ups and downs of the game, but the people he worked with. To quote Bessie Stanley, "He has achieved success who has loved well, laughed often and loved much."
Larry was inducted in the Catawba College Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Western Division). Larry was honored when asked by his player Marco Rivera to introduce him in Green Bay when inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame.
A special thank you to his faithful friends. He loved you all. He is now with his recently departed friends, sportscaster, Chris Mortensen, Coach Don Lee, and Coach Charlie Little.
Many thanks to Clear Creek Memory Care for the wonderful care that Larry received for the last three years and to the nurses and aides who cared for him, especially Lynette. We say, You Rock!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762.
A celebration of life service will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72764. To leave an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.