James Chester Beck

EMCM James Chester Beck, age 76, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025 in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Jim entered the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school. He spent the next 27 years touring the world from various classes of amphibious craft (LCUs, LSTs, etc.) and finished his seagoing career on a minesweeper (MSO), the USS Inflict. He made numerous 6-month deployments to the Mediterranean, was stationed in Sicily for 18 months, and spent two tours in the Persian Gulf sweeping for mines in 1987-88 during the Iran/Iraq War. Jim earned numerous commendations and medals, retiring as a Master Chief Electrician (E9).

Once retired from the military, Jim accompanied his wife Susan to Pensacola where he started his one-man business working on pool and lawn sprinkling systems, which earned him the endearing nickname of “the well man.”

Jim was pre-deceased by his mother and father, Gilda and Vernon Luft; and a brother and sister, Gerry Lee and Wilma Kay.

At home, Jim is survived by his wife, Susan, who loves him dearly after their 35 years of marriage; and their two cats. He is also survived by two sisters, Lila Luft and Bethene Luft Ralph; and two brothers, Lavern and Russell Luft, all from Nebraska.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to SAAD Home Health, especially Jim’s primary nurse, Savannah, Physical Therapist, Mark, and Occupational Therapist, Beau; to the ICU staff at Memorial Hospital Gulfport; and to our church family at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach. Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until Mass. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Beck family.