Rev. James P. Beck

2-18-1937 to 8-12-2021

James Pierce Beck was born February 18, 1937 at home on South Market Street in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Marvin E. Beck (1891) and Reba Green-Beck (1901).   James had an Older Brother John Beck and a sister, Rebecca.  James Paternal grandfather John Hamilton Beck (1860) was a Baptist minister in the Oklahoma Indian Territory and married Mollie Clapp (1867) a Creek native in 1885 in Hopkins Texas.

James grew up in South Shawnee playing on the North Canadian River and going to School at Washington Grade School.  He was well known for his abilities in Track and Field and participated in many competitions throughout his High School years.  His Father was a Conductor on The Santa Fe Railroad for approximately 50 years;  James spent many of his younger summers riding the train with his father and mother to San Francisco and many other destinations.

After Graduating (GED) from Shawnee High School, where he first met his future wife Bobbie Helen Cottrell (1936), James joined the Army and was sent to Jump School for the 82nd Airborne graduating in 1954.  Upon completion he was assigned duty in Germany.

Returning from duty, James married Bobbie (of Wanette Ok.) in Shawnee on May 25, 1957.   James began working for TransOK Pipeline,  and eventually for Public Service Company of Oklahoma,  where he was one of the youngest of the field supervisors of his time.

James and Bobbie had 3 children:   James Michael (1958),  David Allen (1962) and Alicia May (Oberlin) in 1967.

The family lived in Shawnee until the birth of David and then moved to Weleetka where James was soon offered a position in Tulsa to become the youngest Vice President for Public Service at the time.

Due to his calling,  like his grandfather,  James resigned from Public Service and took up the Ministry lay preaching at First Baptist Weleetka and then was Ordained at First Baptist Church of Pharaoh , Oklahoma in 1968.

James attended Oklahoma Baptist University while pastoring in Letha and Del City, where he attained a degree in Theology.

Over the years his Ministry lead him and his family across many Churches in the Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and Texas Region,  And he preached many revivals across the western US even venturing into Alaska preaching and working on missions.

During his Career (1968-2005) pastored Churches include:

First Baptist Pharaoh, Oklahoma

Trinity Baptist Church Letha, Oklahoma

First Baptist Del City, Oklahoma

East Side Baptist Church, Paragould, Arkansas

First Baptist Church Leedey, Oklahoma

Berry Road Baptist, Norman Oklahoma

Crossroads Baptist Church Thornton, Colorado

Whitefield Baptist Church, Oklahoma

First Baptist Church Sperry, Oklahoma

First Baptist Church Mangum, Oklahoma

First Baptist Church Ramona, Oklahoma

First Baptist Church Mannford, Oklahoma

During his career James ministry achieved many accomplishments,  Notable are his service on the Board of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. The First Baptist Church of Sperry, was recognized in 1978 as a Baptismal leader in the Tulsa area with 54 Baptisms.  Again, in 1994 Brother Beck and his fellowship at the First Baptist Church of Mannford attained a significant church goal of over 100 baptisms in one year.   James's ability to manage church financials and accomplish large projects, such as the addition to the First Baptist Church Mannford, were well known.  In 1981 and again in 1989, James and Bobbie were invited to attend the Inauguration and the Annual Invitational Prayer Breakfast of Presidents Ronald Regan and George H.W. Bush Sr.

James retired from full time preaching at Mannford's First Baptist Church after 20 years of service there in 2005.   He continued as interim pastor where the Lord required him until 2018.

His ministries included:

First Baptist Church Drumright, Oklahoma

First Baptist Church Skiatook, Oklahoma

Hope Baptist Church Montgomery, Texas

First Baptist Church Glencoe, Oklahoma

James and Bobbie loved their many, many friends that they had made across the years.  They cherished the relationships and maintained many for their lifetime.  They loved to Travel, and spend many summers with Friends RV'ing, going to shows, and their favorite,  dining out.   They had traveled to Canada, Mexico and Europe together and had many great adventures.

James loved working on his house,  taking care of his yard and delivering cars with his friends.  James was dearly loved by his friends,  his family,  and he was extremely devoted to his wife Bobbie,  until her death in 2020.

James is survived by his Children and a few of his Closest Friends.    James's life and Ministry touched the lives of many souls over the years,  he was always there helping,  comforting and leading as the Lord required.  He is now in Heaven with his Savior and his Wife receiving the promises he spoke of so many, many times.

James entered his heavenly home Thursday evening, August 12, 2021, at Integris Hospice House, Oklahoma City, at the age of 84. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Friday, August 20, at Mobley-Groesbeck Chapel with Pastor Irvin Haken officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mannford. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday from 12-8 p.m. Family will greet friends 3-7 p.m. James' service may be viewed live at Mobley - Groesbeck Funeral Service, Inc. | Facebook .