Funeral services for Dean Bryan Beck, 90, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at First Christian Church in Wheatland with Pastor Casey Schroeder officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.
Dean “The Musicman” Beck passed away Friday, Sept. 28 at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.
Dean was born on Thursday, Aug. 16, 1928 in Grand Junction, Colo. to Edwin Ellery and Josephine Nadine (Taylor) Beck. He was raised and educated in Grand Junction, Colo. and graduated from Grand Junction High School on May 27, 1947. He attended Mesa College in Grand Junction and University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. graduating with a degree in music/education. He returned to Mesa College to teach music for twenty-five years. He was band director in Silt, Colo., taught in various Junior and Senior High Schools in Palisades and Fruita, Colo., and numerous Elementary Schools in Orchard Mesa. For 35 years, he led the Mesa College and Grand Junction Community Symphony. From 1978 to his retirement, Dean worked for the Saint Vrain Valley School District where he taught at Elementary, Junior, and Senior High Schools and taught students privately for many years.
Dean married Donna Lee Stevenson on May 21, 1983 in Colorado.
Many of Dean’s bands took first place awards at district contests in both school districts. He was named “Outstanding Colorado Music Educator”. Dean conducted the Loveland Community Band and the church choir at First Methodist Church in Grand Junction.
Dean played in Big Bands all his life starting in high school with the Starlighters in Grand Junction and then played with the Modernaires in Colorado and owned Dean Beck’s Big Band in Colorado. He would play many engagements, but one of his favorites was in Cheyenne with the Cheyenne Dance Club.
Dean loved God and singing in the Chancel Choir, spending time with his family and friends, teaching his students, fishing, bird watching, the Denver Broncos, and going to Broncos training camps. Dean also loved photography and coin collecting.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents.
Dean is survived by his wife, Donna Lee (Stevenson) Beck; sister, Madeline (Bill) Roberts; six children, Ava (Rich) Coleman, Bryan Beck, Donlee (Christine) Selman, Danlee (Gigi)Selman, Dianalee (Edward) Prime, and Deanlee (Robin) Selman; numerous grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
Memorials may be made to the Wheatland High School Music Program, 1350 Oak Street, Wheatland, WY 82201, First Christian Church, 95 Nineteenth Street, Wheatland, WY 82201, Wyoming – Colorado National Multiple Sclerosis Society Chapter, 900 South Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80209, or P.A.W.S., PO Box 1501, Wheatland, WY 82201.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
