David Beck

David John Beck, 63, of Scott City was born Feb. 22, 1958, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Johnny Anthony and Goldie Mae Higgins Beck. He passed away Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in his home in the arms of his loving family, after a hard-fought battle with colon cancer.

David and Tammy G. Wiggins were united in marriage on Aug. 18, 1979, at the First Baptist Church of Advance, Missouri, where they first met and remained members.

David was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served six years in the Army Military Police Corp stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Red Cloud, Korea, and Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii.

While in the Army, David graduated fourth in his class in the Army Non-Commissioned Officers Academy at Fort Benning. He also graduated from Missouri Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Personnel course and the 120-hour Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. He attended numerous specialized criminal justice courses and attended Southeast Missouri State University, where he studied criminal justice.

He was a true patriot and constitionalist, staying connected to his fellow military veterans and law enforcement officers.

The family returned to Southeast Missouri, where David accepted a position as a police officer in Scott City. He proudly served the community, retiring as chief of police in 1992.

Dave enjoyed life. He was his family's sheep dog and prided himself in being their protector. He enjoyed fishing, especially fly fishing. He mostly enjoyed attending and hearing about his sons' athletic games as players and coaches.

He was a loving husband, who supported his wife in every way as she returned to school and became a physician assistant. Tammy and David worked as a team, spending all waking hours supporting family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy Beck of the home; two sons, Jonathan Beck of Rogers, Arkansas, and David Andrew (Denai) Beck of Scott City; five sisters, Patricia (Donald) Gittemeier of St. Charles, Missouri; Julie (Casey) Steck of Idaho; Carmen (David) Dowling of St. Charles; Rita (Bill) Thaxton of St. Charles; and Diane (Terry) Bates of Denver; two brothers-in-law, John (Debbie) Wiggins of Jackson and Tony Wiggins of Cape Girardeau; a sister-in-law, Cindy (Paul) Gilliland of Advance; nephews, Dr. Matthew (Heather) Wiggins, Curtis (Ashley) Gilliland, Michael (Kelly) Gittemeier, Jacob (Jill) Gittemeier, Patrick Murphy, Danny Beck, Kenny Beck, Terry Bates, Gregory Bates, Gavin Burgess, Shawn Dowling, Shannon Dowling and Sheri Dowling; and nieces, Dr. Tori (Tim) Landing, Amanda Wiggins, Madalyn Wiggins and Sarah (Jay) Burgess-Wollenstein.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Daniel Beck; infant daughter, Angel; and nephew, Jeffrey Gittemeier.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at chapel with the Rev. Eric Shrum officiating. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

The Beck family would like to thank Dr. Carlos Roblus and Dr. Sagar Patel, along with all the staff at Saint Francis Medical Center, for their care and emotional support. Also, thank you to Visiting Nurse Association Hospice for providing comfort during his final days.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Saint Francis Foundation in David's name to support those families affected by cancer.