Thomas Frederick Beck

Tom Beck, age 89, passed away peacefully at home May 8, 2022 at home surrounded by his family. He was born November 4, 1932 in Columbus to the late Frederick and Florence Beck.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy, their children, Tom, Tim (Marie) and Linda (Eric Estes); grandchildren Paul (Stasia Levakis), Annie (Elizabeth Churilla), Katie, and Patrick; his sister Jan Barmann (Mark), nieces Cathy Patterson (Chuck ), Chris Patrick (Mike), Karen Marcum and other extended family members.  Tom graduated from Columbus South High School in June, 1950. Prior to graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, was deployed to Korea in 1952 where he received two Purple Hearts as a result of enemy engagements.  Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Tom used the G.I. Bill to attend Capital University (1958 graduate), and was a four-year starter on the football team. He was inducted into Capital’s Athletic Hall of Fame, received the Hugo Wentzel Merit Award, and was a past president of both the Capital Alumni Advisory Board and Alumni Varsity C. Tom began his distinguished teaching and coaching career at West Jefferson High School in 1958 and in 1961, moved to the Columbus School System at Starling Junior High. The following year Tom joined the staff at the newly constructed Whetstone High School, where he was a member of the history department and coached both football and track.  In 1976, he moved to Briggs High School.  Tom initiated the track program at West Jefferson, winning the league championship in 1961 and was also an assistant football coach. His one year at Starling Junior High, where he again initiated a track program, resulted in his team winning  the City Junior High Track Championship.  During his years at Whetstone High School, he received two Valley Forge Freedom Awards and his 1967 track team won the City Championship. He also served as the head football coach.  While at Briggs, Tom’s track team of 1977, was state runner up.  After retiring from teaching, Tom volunteered at Licking Heights with his son Tom’s track team that in 1987, won the Class A State Championship.  Tom joined Charity Newsies in 1962 and was a past president of that organization. He spearheaded the drive to honor the Newsies 100+ years with the placement of a newsboy statue near Broad and High Streets in downtown Columbus. Tom was a member and Past Commander of Purple Heart Chapter 500.  He was instrumental in placing Purple Heart Monuments at the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, Motts Military Museum and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.  Calling hours are Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 East Broad Street, from 4 – 7 p.m.  Graveside services will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Avenue on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.  For those who wish, a funeral procession to the cemetery will begin at 9:30 at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home.  Following services, a reception will be held at Charity Newsie Headquarters, 4300 Indianola Avenue.  At Tom’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to Charity Newsies, 4300 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 or to the Buckeye Purple Heart Foundation to the attention of John Flinn, 439 Blaise Ln., Delaware, OH 43015.  

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