Leland Ross Beck
Leland Ross Beck
1930 – 2022
Leland Ross Beck was born June 27, 1930 in Alpine, Utah to Leland Beck and Verland Grace Healey. He was the third of eight children and the only boy of the family. He was loved and doted upon by his sisters Ria (Loyd Carlton), Cleo (Vernon Shephard), LaRene (Lamar Drew), Kathleen (Max Brown), Deanna (Ken Brown), Cheryl (Gerald Walker), ReNee (Fred Keatch).
As a child Ross loved growing up in Alpine and found every opportunity to make mischief with his friends and cousins. He loved the mountains of Alpine and loved to hunt or camp with his friends and family. He loved spending summers farming for Scott Carlisle (his future father-in-law), picking apples for his dad, or putting up hay for his uncle in Idaho.
Ross attended grade school in the Red Brick School House in Alpine, and graduated from American Fork High School in 1948
After school Ross went to work for Geneva Steel as an apprentice bricklayer.
On April 10, 1950 Ross married Vera Joanne Carlisle in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their home in Alpine where their first child Deri was born in 1954.
In 1955, Ross was drafted into the United States Army. He completed his Basic Training in Ft Bliss Texas. Ross and his young family were then stationed at Ft Sheridan Illinois just outside Chicago. There Ross was a radar operator in the 485 Infantry AAA Missile Battalion. Ross was on active duty until 1957 and Reserve duty until 1963.
When the family left Chicago they moved back to Alpine where their son Dana was born in 1958. Ross started L Ross Beck Construction and was proud to build over 40 homes in Alpine and Highland. Ross was a fine craftsman and his attention to detail was like no other. He was the superintendent of the construction of Alpine Elementary and spent many hours working on the Red Brick Church.
Ross also served as Chief of the Alpine Fire Department for 9 years and Alpine irrigation water master.
In 1983 Ross joined with his son Dana and together they started Beck and Beck Construction. They built hundreds of residential homes and commercial buildings, including banks, hotels, schools and churches. Ross retired from construction in 1995.
After retirement Ross and Joanne were called to serve in the Peoria Illinois Mission. They were part of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. There Ross supervised the livestock and drove teams of horses, giving tours around the town. He remodeled the inside of the old horse barn leaving his brand on the wall. He also worked in the brickyard and his team held the record for the most bricks made in one day.
After returning from their mission Ross and Joanne purchased a home in St George, Utah where they loved to spend the winter months. Joanne passed away in 2010.
In the last 7 years of Ross’s life he spent as much time as he could on The Ranch in Lonetree, Wyoming. He loved being part of the hay crew by delivering drinks and fuel. He also loved cutting firewood and checking on cows in his side by side. Ross supervised every building project and made sure every fence post was plumb, straight and level.
Leland Ross Beck passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022 in Alpine, Utah surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, his wife Joanne, daughter Deri Davies and great-granddaughter Mayble Shannon. Ross is survived by Dana and Annalisa Beck, Wayne Davies, 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great- grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ross will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11:00 am in the “Old Red Brick Church” in Alpine, located at 165 North 100 East, Alpine, Utah. Family and friends may call Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah and also at an additional viewing on Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the “Red Brick Church” in Alpine. Interment will follow in the Alpine City Cemetery.
Those whishing to watch the funeral services via the internet may use the following link – https://zoom.us/j/92065193319?pwd=MDRqN1lDMDkySWw1ZnNKYjRZS21NQT09
The family would like to thank River Meadows Senior Living and Simbi Hospice for the love and kindness they showed to Gramps. Also the family would like to thank the Timpanogos Honor Guard, of which Ross was a member of, for the graveside honors they performed.