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Obituary for James Clifford Beckley, Jr.

James Clifford  Beckley, Jr.
Longtime Alamosa resident and current South Fork resident James “Jim” Clifford Beckley, Jr., 85, passed away February 10, 2016 at his home in South Fork.

Jim was born on April 19, 1930 in Alamosa, the first child of James Clifford Beckley, Sr. and Mary Agnes Schoenberger. He married Betty Jo Harron Tilden in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 9, 1955. They enjoyed 48 years together until Betty’s death in 2003.

Jim moved to South Fork following his retirement. He worked in the school system for 30 years, starting in La Jara as a Biology Teacher and Coach for five years, then he was the last Principal at the La Jara High School and the first Principal at Centauri. Jim was in La Jara a total of 11 years and then moved to Alamosa for the remainder of his career. He actually worked as Principal in every school in Alamosa except Boyd Elementary.

Jim graduated from Alamosa High School in 1948, attended Colorado State University from 1948-49, then Adams State College from 1949-50. He then entered the United States Navy and served from 1951-54, during the Korean War and was on the Destroyer USS Halsey Powell. He earned his BA degree from Adams State in 1956 and his Masters Degree in Education in 1959.

Jim was in Phi Delta Kappa, CEA, NEA and was a past member of Conejos County Education Association, the Alamosa Education Association. He served as Past President of the San Luis Valley Teacher’s Association, was President of the San Luis Valley Secondary Principal’s Assn. for four years, Past President of Southern Peaks Activity Association, Past President of Southern Peaks AA League, Past Secretary of Southern Peaks AA League for five years, was on the Board of Control – CHSAA for seven years, and Executive Committee for CHSAA for one year, District Track qualifier for five years and the Local Organization Committee CHSAA for three years.

Jim made it in into the who’s who in Colorado in 1966, who’s who in Southwest 1967, President of ACEA from 1968-69, State Trustee of the Colorado Elks Association in 1970 and served for five years, President Past Exalted Ruler of BPOE 1297 in 1968-69, Sargent of Last Squad in 1969-70, American Legion Post 113 member, State President of Colorado Elks in 1980-81, Chairman of P.S.P. in 1983 and was on several committees for the Grand Lodge from 1991-2004. He was also the District Deputy of Elks in 1997-98 and was awarded Elk of the Year in 1981-82 and in 1948 was rated Outstanding Basketball Player. Jim was inducted in to the Adams State Educators Hall of Fame in 2013. Jim was also a devoted Catholic.

He is survived by his two step-daughters Nancy Tilden of Monte Vista and Shirley (Larry) Jeffryes of Sequim, Washington; two granddaughters Amanda Hovat of Tacoma, WA and Jenny Yates of Jacksonville, Florida; and his sister Barbara (Stephen) Micks of South Fork, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by both parents and his wife Betty Jo.

Cremation was chosen. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Holy Family Mission Catholic Church in South Fork. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either the Holy Family Mission, c/o St. Joseph Parish, 425 Batterson, Monte Vista, CO 81144 or to Hospice del Valle, 514 Main St., Alamosa, CO 81101.

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