Daniel Raymond Beck

Daniel Raymond Beck passed away on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family,

from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Daniel Raymond Beck was born in Shiner, Lavaca County, Texas on Feb. 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. He was a life-long resident of Fayette County, a place he called “God’s country.” He is survived by his wife, Angela Flores Beck, 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, Texas, and his son, John Francis Beck of Dallas, Texas, and girlfriend, Molly Hill of Fort Worth, Texas. He is also survived by his granddaughter, 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 Beck and Paycen Jerald Beck, grandson, Jeffery Lyn Surman and girlfriend, Lauren Schmidt, and granddaughters Sayla Ray Surman, Cassidy Rayne Laake, and Laramie Lathe Laake. He is also survived by 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. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends, including his devoted friend and “third son,” Dan Bell. Dan was a pioneer of early childhood education when he attended first grade in Bauersville, down the road between Komensky and Moulton. He grew up in Cistern, where he attended elementary school under the watchful eye and tutelage, of his mother and father, and graduated from Flatonia High School in 1962. Growing up, he  was active in Little League, 4-H, high school sports, FFA, student government and was 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. Throughout college and law school, he worked 40 hours per week and was active in campus government and politics, having served as President of Young Democrats at SWT. He was a member of the social sciences honor society. Dan practiced law in the Flatonia and La Grange areas from 1969 to 1981, where his law practice consisted of a crosssection of legal work, including trial experience in both criminal and civil matters. He was elected and served as Justice of the

Peace, Flatonia, Fayette County, Precinct 3, from 1970 to 1972; as County Attorney for Fayette County from 1973 to 1979, during which time he helped defend Sheriff Jim Flournoy during the “Chicken Ranch” saga; as County Judge for Fayette County, from 1983-1990, District Judge of the 155th Judicial District Court for Fayette, Austin and Waller counties from 1991 until his retirement on Dec. 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 Clarcrimes 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 organizing of the first Czhilispiel in Flatonia. He was 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. Throughout his life, he owned or co-owned a number of businesses, including the Flatonia Argus and the La Grange Journal. 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. This exceptional patriot, Democrat, lawyer, judge, carpenter, well digger, lover of history, fairness and respect for all people and their dignity, son, husband, father, brother, grandpa and great-grandpa will be missed by all of his family and his many friends and all those whose lives he touched. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Flatonia American Legion Baseball Field at 2 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.