Fred Douglas Beck

1948 - 2025

Fred Douglas Beck
Feb. 14, 1948 – Nov. 13, 2025

Funeral services for Fred Douglas Beck, 77, of Sallisaw, were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at McKey Baptist Church in Vian. Burial followed at Drakestand Cemetery in Sallisaw, under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
Fred Douglas Beck was born in Denver, Colo., on Feb. 14, 1948, to Fred "Tim" Beck and Orlene Catherine (Dobbs) Beck.
As a young boy he ran a paper route in the Denver suburbs and used the money he earned to ride the train to local ski slopes any chance he could get. He made his life long home in the McKey, Oklahoma community after his parents moved back to where Cat's family roots were planted. He graduated from Vian High School in 1966 and attended Connor State College. His aptitude to fix anything was evident in his early adult life as he worked as a machinist for Hilti Tool Co. in Tulsa for a time then for Holley Carburetor here in Sallisaw. He also farmed the families land, raising cattle, row crops, and commercial hay baling.
Fred had a strong sense of community. He would drop anything he was doing to help a neighbor no matter the hour or circumstance. He was one of the founding members of McKey Volunteer Fire Department often taking money out of his own pocket, as many others did, to put fuel in the fire trucks or repair them. He and his family were active in 4H and Farm Bureau and were Farm Bureau family of the year in the late 80's. He served on the Sequoyah County Fair Board for 14 years. He also served as president of the Sequoyah County Cattleman's Association and was on the Board of Directors for Rural Water District 5 for many years as well. Fred's real love was his family. His grandchildren always brought a beam to his face and he would be quick to tell anyone of their accomplishments.
Fred entered in eternity on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his four children, Jeff Beck and wife, Paulette, of Sarcoxie, Mo., Julie Haywood and husband, Justin, of Sallisaw, Kristina Downing and husband, J.D., of Broken Arrow and Kelsey Sells and husband, Teddy, of Sallisaw; four grandchildren, Avery Haywood, Mallorie Beck, Gracey Skaggs, and Mia Sells; his aunt, Ora Lee Kirk; and numerous cousins and countless friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Active pallbearers were Barry James, Doug Bane, Keith Boshers, Jarod Vinson, Chris Medford, and Brent Reed.
Honorary pallbearers were The Cafe Club.