J. H. Becktold died April 25, 2015, in Brownwood, Texas. Graveside funeral services with military honors will be at 2 p.m., April 28, 2015, at Eastlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on April 27 at Heartland Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home of Early.
Jessie Howard Becktold was born January 19, 1922, in Franklin, Texas to Walter and Olga Becktold. He grew up in Brown County and graduated from Early High School. He attended Howard Payne College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Pacific and saw action on Iwo Jima. Returning to Brownwood after World War II, he met Dorothy Oleta Shaw. They were married February 20, 1947, and she preceded him in death on November 30, 2013. They had been married 66 years. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and retired after 37 years. He was also a farmer and rancher. He was a member of Early First Baptist Church.
He will be dearly missed by his survivors who include a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Patricia Becktold of Early: a daughter and son-in-law, Suzann and Arnulfo Nira of Knoxville, TN; a daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Joe Green of Early; a daughter and son-in-law, Oleta and Ray McClain of Arlington; and a son, Duane Becktold of Early. Grandchildren: Michael Becktold of Carrollton; David Becktold of Early; Anthony, Andrew, Samantha, and Simona Nira all of Knoxville, TN; Bob and wife Stephanie Green of Zephyr; Rebekah and husband Dakota Dean of Early; Benjamin and wife Julie McClain of Dallas; Natalie and husband Zach Longstrom of Arlington; Melissa McClain of Arlington; Dustin and Sidney both of Early. Great-Grandchildren: Abigail and Miriam Dean; Damian, Lucas and Garen Longstrom; Caroline and Liam McClain. Howard is also survived by several cousins from the Becktold and Beck families.
The family would like to thank the staff of Oak Ridge Manor Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice for the care and love shown to him.
Condolences can be offered to the family at heartlandfuneralhome.net