1933-2020
Gordon Mckell Beckstrom age 86, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandpa and dear friend passed away peacefully at home with his family on Friday, August 21, 2020. He is now reunited with the love of his life Arleen.
Born December 19, 1933 to William Robertson Beckstrom and Della McKell Beckstrom in Spanish Fork, Utah. He was the oldest of 3 brothers. At 19 he served in the Western Canada Mission. Gordon married his sweetheart, Arleen Elizabeth Hedberg, June 7, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Gordon was the father to five children, four daughters and one son whom he loved very much.
Gordon was a hard worker and he always maintained several jobs to support his family; some of those jobs included the family working together.
He spent his life working in the Utah school system. He started as an art teacher at Valley Jr High. He then went on to get his Master’s Degree in Education Administration. From there he worked as a guidance counselor at Granite High School and then became the Vice Principal at Cottonwood High School.
When Gordon retired he kept busy serving in many capacities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a proselytizing and temple patrons mission in Sweden with his wife. As a couple they also served a mission overseeing Deseret Industries and their distributions to other non-profit organizations in the western states.
Gordon was a scriptorian and was called to serve on an LDS committee to contribute to the Old Testament footnotes for Isaiah of which he was very proud.
Gordon was also an avid reader, often reading three books a month. He was an excellent artist and has over 100 beautiful paintings. When he retired, he spent many hours painting and sharing his talents with others in his art studio. He loved hearing and sharing good stories or jokes. His laughter was infectious and usually funnier than the joke itself.
Gordon had a lot of great friends and neighbors who took time to visit and look after him, especially after his wife Arleen passed.
Family and God were everything to him, he was always there for us.
Gordon is survived by his five children; Laurie Funston, Brock (Kristie) Beckstrom, Christy (Russ) Harris, Jane (Chris) Emery, LaNae Jensen, brother Glenn M. Beckstrom, 20 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Arleen Elizabeth Hedberg Beckstrom, parents William R. Beckstrom and Della McKell Beckstrom, and brother Kent M. Beckstrom.
A special thanks to the caregivers at Ashford Assisted Living, Canyons Home Health, Crista Emery, Jane Emery, and Laurie Funston.
A public viewing will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 2:45 – 3:45 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah. By invitation only, due to Covid-19 private services will be held from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
My love and sympathy to all the family of Brother Gordon. He and Arleen and family will always be remembered as our wonderful long-time neighbors on River Oaks. Such good memories of all the gatherings at their home and working in the Ward with them.
I will forever be touched by Gordon and his contagious laughter. We spent many hours telling jokes and carrying on at a time when the world was falling apart Around us. He was a particular man that had me trained to his specifics. I hope I served him well. Because he did me for sure. There is truly nothing laughter can’t make better. Gordon and family......thank you. The pleasure was ALL mine. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives. Thanks for caring enough to be with him and have him in your home where he truly wanted to be. He was a special man with special talents and many stories of life adventures. May he Rest In Peace and happiness for all of eternity. Thank you again, Dusti, R.N., Karen, R.N. and all of the Canyon Health Care Team.
Mr. Beckstrom was my teacher/advisor at Granite High in the 70's. What a wonderful man!! He was always so kind to me, and helped me get my first job at then Valley Bank. My sincere condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.
In the late 70’s, I had a conversation with Mr. Beckstrom that I’ve never forgotten.
While discussing my future and career aspirations, I told him I had already decided, I wanted to be a police officer. He certainly was supportive but asked, “have you ever considered getting your pilots license? You could have two great jobs, being a police officer and catching criminals from the air”. Utilizing helicopters back then wasn’t popular so I told him no, my desire was to be on the streets. On my departure from his office, he reminded me, “ don’t forget my suggestion”. Little did he know, I never did. Some 40 years later, I still carry that with me. I am still serving as a police officer but the helicopter suggestion unfortunately I failed to follow up on. I have regretted that for many a years. My love for my career and helicopters are equal.
Mr. Beckstrom had a knack for teaching, helping and offering sound advice. Obviously he had a positive impact on my life as some 40 years later his advice is fresh in my mind.
Thank you and God Speed!
Gordon and Arleen have been dear family friends for years. Upon Arleen’s passing , I would enjoy visiting Gordon. I enjoyed visiting Gordon when I could make it work. He was so knowledgeable and told wonderful stories. I loved looking at his beautiful art work and shared family news. I will miss his laughter and his friendship.
Dear family of Gordon and Arlene,
We just want to express our condolences for the passing of Gordon. We all know and understand our loving Heavenly Father's compassionate Plan of Happiness and we know that Gordon is very happy now. He is free from the pain and constraints of the physical body and is certainly in the middle of a glorious reunion with his sweetheart, Arlene, other family members and friends. Nevertheless, it is hard to lose a loved one and we know that he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and all of us. He was a dear friend to us over the past 40 + years. Arlene was always up to a party and a great host. Gordon was always the life of the party. No street party was complete without the reenactment of the 'wig in the theater' experience and no one could do it like Gordon. It was a great blessing to have Gordon and Arlene serving a mission with us in Sweden. They touched many lives, establishing eternal relationships, in their areas of labor and in their Temple service. It was our wonderful privilege to live by and enjoy the friendship of Gordon and Arlene. You, their family, are a living testimony and legacy to their greatness.
Our love and best regards.
Keith & Vera Ritchie