Daniel R. Beck

Daniel Raymond Beck passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015, at his home in La Grange, Texas surrounded by his family, from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Daniel Raymond Beck was born in Shiner, Lavaca County, Texas on February 18, 1945 to John J. Beck, Sr. and Glynnie Juanita “Polly” (Young) Beck, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Anton and Annie (Burket) Beck, and his maternal grandparents, Ancil and Anna (Kelly) Young, and infant grandson, Casson Wayne Laake; also preceded in death by his in-laws, Francisco J. and Ernestina S. Flores of Laredo. He was a life-long resident of Fayette County. He is survived by his wife, Angela Flores Beck of La Grange, his son, Saxon Vaughn Beck and daughter-in-law, Lorry D. Beck, his daughter, Amber Ray Beck Laake and son-in-law, Clayton Laake, all of Muldoon, and his son, John Francis Beck of Dallas and girlfriend, Molly Hill of Fort Worth. Also surviving are his granddaughter and her husband Raven and Dustin Behrens and their children Kynzie Deeann and Dawsyn Paige, grandson, Saxon Vaughn Beck, Jr. “Tad” and fiancée, Jesi Navia, and their children, Jaxon Slade and Paycen Jerald, grandson, Jeffery Lyn Surman and girlfriend, Lauren Schmidt, and granddaughters Sayla Ray Surman, Cassidy Rayne Laake, and Laramie Lathe Laake. Other survivors include his brother, John J. Beck, Jr. and his wife, Amelia, his brother, Ronald E. Beck, Sr. and his wife Mollie, and his uncle, Bobby F. Young and wife, Ann, of Greenville, Texas, and numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends, including his devoted friend and “third son,” Dan Bell. Dan graduated from Flatonia High School in 1962, serving as Senior Class President. He received degrees from Southwest Texas State College (B.A. Government) in 1965 and the University of Texas School of Law (Doctor of Jurisprudence) in 1968. Dan practiced law in the Flatonia and La Grange areas from 1969 to 1981; was elected Justice of the Peace, Flatonia, Fayette County, Precinct 3, 1970-1972; County Attorney, Fayette County, 1973-1979; County Judge, Fayette County, 1983-1990, District Judge of the 155th Judicial District Court for Fayette, Austin and Waller counties from 1991 until his retirement on December 31, 2010. Throughout his service to his county, he sought to improve the lives of all people. While District Judge, he was instrumental in establishing a mental health program for those accused of crimes who were suffering from mental illness. He was active throughout his life in youth sports programs, especially baseball, from T-Ball to Little League, to Babe Ruth and select baseball, Chamber of Commerce activities and many civic organizations, including the organizing of the first Czhilispiel in Flatonia. He was a proud of his management and coaching of the South Central Texas Amateur League Wildcats in the 1970s and 1980s and the Gold Sox and Woodpeckers select baseball teams from 2000 to 2005. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange and participated in the Knights of Columbus in both the Flatonia and La Grange councils. Dan’s hobbies included collecting, designing and sometimes making walking sticks, collecting Houston Astros baseball cards, and backyard carpentry. He was passionate about family, baseball, through which he sought to teach young people about life, and politics. He was proud to have been a life-long Democrat. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Flatonia American Legion Baseball Field, 1225 E. U.S. Highway 90, Flatonia, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015, with a reception to follow in the American Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Flatonia Little League, 1426 Flatonia Airfield Road, Flatonia, Texas 78941, the La Grange Little League, P. O. Box 734, La Grange, Texas 78945, the ALS Association South Texas Chapter, 8705 Shoal Creek Blvd., #114, Austin, Texas 78757, or a charity of one’s choice.