Raymond Beck

Raymond Arthur Beck, 91, of Guthrie, passed away at home on Saturday July 10, 2021.

Raymond was born Aug. 1, 1929, to Raymond George and Elizabeth (Frank) Beck on their farm in Cashion.

Raymond and his identical twin brother, Richard, graduated from Cashion High School in 1947.

After graduation, Raymond farmed and was a member of the 45th Division Reserves in Kingfisher. He was called to active duty in Korea in 1950 and served in the 45th and then the 1st Calvary Division and was among those participating in the landings at Inchon.

He returned home from war in 1952, resumed his farming operation and began selling farm equipment in Cashion.

Raymond met Mary Margaret Flasch at the USDA service center where she worked in Guthrie and teased her relentlessly until her friend and coworker, Eddie Lou Halsey, encouraged her to go on a date with him.

They married on Nov. 23, 1962, which, that year, was the day after Thanksgiving.

From then on Raymond insisted on celebrating their anniversary on the day after Thanksgiving regardless of the calendar date.

In 1965, the family relocated their farm and farm implement business to the current location of Beck’s Farm Equipment east of Guthrie on State Highway 33 where it is still in operation today.

Raymond loved his family, farming, selling farm equipment and raising cattle.

Raymond and Mary had three sons: Raymond Edward, Paul Arthur and Douglas Scott.

Raymond is survived by his wife Mary of the home and sons Ray and wife Talleri of Mulhall, Paul and wife Melissa of Stillwater and Doug of Cashion; as well as grandchildren Jacob and wife Chastity of Guthrie, Joseph and fiancé Madison of Edmond, Ben and wife Jackalyn of Coyle, Rick and wife Stephanie of Fayetteville, N.C., Matt and wife Brittany of Amarillo, Texas, Mary Kate of Fayetteville, Ark., Austin and wife Micah of Indianapolis, Ind., Wyatt of Tulsa, and Gage, Caroline, Dutch and John August, all of Cashion; and five great-grandchildren.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tom and Richard, and sisters Helen Boling and Bertha Hall.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 16, at Zion Lutheran Church (424 E. Warner, Guthrie) and interment will follow at the Lutheran Cemetery in Pleasant Valley.

Services are under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church.

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.hayesfh.com.