Michael Lee Beckham, "Jack", of Winchester, Kansas died on his 71st birthday, June 16, 2022, near Fremont, Missouri on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Michael was 'an army brat', born June 16, 1951 at Fort Benning, Georgia, the son of Robert Lee Beckham (at home in Tennessee) and (Janet Williams Beckham, deceased) and step-mother Hilda (also deceased).

Michael's siblings, Rose Beckham Godwin and Shirley Beckham Stephenson preceded him in death.

Surviving siblings are Lynne Beckham Paschall, Jerry Beckham, Richard Beckham, all of Tennessee and step-brother David Koonce of South Carolina.

Michael's first marriage to wife Freida Annette Hayes was blessed with the births of sons Kevin Beckham of California and Jason Beckham of Colorado.

Michael was stepfather to Stacey Lee and Shaun Joesph Fishback, both of Topeka, Kansas. Michael's step grandchildren were Nadje' Fishback, Shaun Fishback II, Archie Fishback, Quinn Fishback and Ma'Kiya Hayes-Fishback. Michael's nieces  were Danielle Beckham, Jackie Beckham, Donna Beckham, Diane Stephenson and Kim Stephenson. Nephews were Carl W. Stateler and Josh Beckham.

Michael's step-niece was Melinda Desoto, and step-nephews  David Koonce II, John, Joseph and Robert Godwin.

Michael remarried on April 4, 2004 to Martha Ellen Curry (Fishback) who resides at their home in Winchester, Ks.

Michael attended Pine Forest High School in North Carolina where he was an avid football player. As a teenager he earned money picking tobacco in the fields and later he worked in the officer's club on post at Fort Bragg.  Michael was always a hard worker with a strong work ethic regardless of where he was.

Shortly after high school Michael enlisted in the army, serving in Hawaii, and Germany (his favorite station where he met life-long friend Tom Risley). He was a staff sergeant where he trained other enlisted men. He also served in Vietnam and became Military Police. When he was stationed at Leavenworth, Kansas he worked at the Leavenworth disciplinary barracks.

During the time he served his country, he was awarded many medals, badges and ribbons as well as  earning certificates in specialized training courses. Those awards were:  Army commendation medal, national defense service medal, overseas service bars, Vietnam service medal, overseas service ribbon, army service ribbon, Republic of Vietnam campaign medal, Vietnam cross of Gallatry with Palm, Notorious Service medal, NCO professional development ribbon, drill sergeant identification badge, army good conduct medal,  hostage negotiation course, battalion training management system, nuclear physical security course,  advanced NCO course and drill sergeant course.

Upon his military retirement, he advanced his education by earning his Bachelor Degrees in Corrections,  History, and Psychology at Parkville University in Missouri. He also earned his Associates degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.

His work history included becoming a Drug and Alcohol counselor at Larned State Hospital, then transferred his skills to becoming an officer at Lansing Correctional Facility where he promoted to Correctional Counselor II.  He retired with full pension from that facility. He especially enjoyed working with the 'hard core' inmates where he was able to challenge their mentality to improve their lives upon release. Michael was well liked and respected by staff and inmates alike.

Mike had very many different interests.  He was an avid history buff and was especially interested in all Civil War history.  He was well-versed on all battles and military generals that he had studied.

Michael also enjoyed many different genres of music all the way from hard rock Classics from his youth, to R&B, to country and western especially Vince Gill. Michael especially loved Kenny G, and had begun listening to a lot of classical music in the last few years. Michael and Martha attended the 500th Grand Old Opry in 2021 where he was able see Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood.

Michael was an avid reader especially loving the country and western books as well as murder-mystery. One of his favorite series of books was Jack Ryan.

He also enjoyed watching British murder mysteries on TV with wife Martha. Vera, Father Brown and The Doctor Blake Mysteries were top favorites. He watched all the reruns of NCIS!

Michael was a coin collector; he could tell you everything you ever want to know about everything that he ever collected. He was also a shooting enthusiast and frequently went with wife Martha to the shooting range or to his friend Bob Zink's home to target practice.

Michael also enjoyed going to auctions where we found many antique treasures that fill our home now.

Michael was a Mason but held no position.

In January of 2004 Michael accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was baptized, together with his wife Martha, on February 8, 2004. He was a member of the Linwood Baptist Church.

Michael spent his later years with his wife Martha on their ten acre farm where he helped establish what he called 'a petting zoo.' He loved animals and made so many improvements on the farm by just working long hard hours. Family friends Gene and Shirley Hensley helped so much in helping to rehabilitate the older home to become comfortable when we first bought the property.

Mike's foremost passion was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. His favorite motorcycle he named Betty Boop and had a picture of her on his front fender of his motorcycle. Michael had been riding motorcycles ever since he was a teenager. Michael made his first major impression on his future wife Martha by calling her at work from Sturgis 'just to say hello.' Michael loved to travel and he visited places all over the United States.

Michael was riding his new love, a 2016 Road King when his fatal accident occurred. He was enroute to visit his father and Tennessee family.  He then intended to see the World Trade Center Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery then on up to Canada.  Michael did not suffer and he died doing what he loved to do more than anything in the world.

Michael was a complicated man and shied from public view, preferring to be a loner most of the time.  Michael had a dark sense of humor but that's how he coped with the world after having seen so much ugliness in it. Michael had a way of making you laugh even through the ugliness. Michael was a very charitable person though and he did not hesitate to give to friends and family in time of need. My husband was my best friend-through all the ups and downs, he was still the love of my life. I am so grateful that Michael is with Jesus and no longer burdened with all the physical pain and struggles that plagued him. His body and soul are at peace. Praise God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ! Michael will be greatly missed.

Michael donated generously to Saint Jude's Research Children's Hospital and I'm sure that's where he would want any monetary contributions to go (Donor Services 1.800.822.6344). We also adopted one of our fur babies from the Lawrence Humane Society, so donations would be welcome there also: 1805 E 19th St., Lawrence, Ks. 66046.