Jerry David Becknell, 72, of Anaconda passed away Friday, December 30, 2011. He died in Anaconda Community Hospital surrounded by his family after a two year battle with cancer.
Jerry was born on August 15, 1939 in LaPorte, Indiana to George and Esther Becknell. He graduated from LaPorte High School, Class of 1958, and attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy.
While attending high school, he met the love of his life, Joan Beattie. They married on August 20, 1960 and started their wonderful life together filled with adventure, love and laughter, and eventually two daughters.
After attending college, Jerry spent four years as an officer on the USS Constellation which was deployed during the Vietnam conflict. Jerry felt very strongly about his naval experiences and had great respect for those who serve our country.
Jerry and Joan moved back to Indiana where they raised their two girls, Susan & Cathy. Jerry worked for a short time in retail pharmacy and eventually became the owner of Belles Apothecary, which he owned for ten years.
Jerry took his family on many adventures over the years traveling in a motorhome to places including Disney World, various campgrounds along the Eastern Coast, and the Diamond J. Ranch in Ennis, MT, among many other places.
In 1987, Jerry and Joan sold their home and pharmacy, and traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico in their motorhome for a year and a half. They knew they loved the time they had spent vacationing in Montana but also knew there were many parts of this country that they hadn’t seen so they set out to see if there was somewhere better – that didn’t happen and when the allotted time they had planned to spend traveling was about to end they came back to Montana and knew they were right all along and would call Montana home from that point on.
Jerry worked as a Pharmacist at the Anaconda Community Hospital as well as St. James Hospital in Butte. He then made the move back to retail pharmacy at the Anaconda Safeway, having missed working with the public. He also worked as a Consultant Pharmacist at Granite County Hospital and Nursing Home. After retiring from both Safeway and Granite County, he became a traveling Pharmacist for a year, working at Fort Belknap.
Jerry loved spending time with his family, traveling, playing golf and Mahjong and reading as many novels as he could. Jerry also had a passion for carpentry. His last project was a green house for Joan. Many have said they often think of Jerry as a lucky man to have lived such a full and complete life!
Jerry is preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Esther Becknell, as well as his brother, Dr. Robert Becknell of Indiana. He is survived by his beloved wife Joan; daughters Susan (Bryan) Dauenhauer of Anaconda and Cathy (John H.) Baucus of Helena; grandchildren Madison and Zachary Dauenhauer of Anaconda and Mitchell and Gabrielle Baucus of Helena; his wonderful, slobbery Newfoundland dogs, Bentley and Moe; his sister-in-law Julie Becknell (Indiana); his nieces; Joy (Jeff) Quinn and Jenny (Chris) Welch of Indiana, as well as Jamie (Tony) Schaufler of Ennis and his many great-nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ira Fender, the amazing staff at the Community Hospital of Anaconda, his coworkers at both the Safeway store and Granite County Hospital, his golfing buddies, as well as the many friends who came to visit him during his last days at the hospital.
Jerry always talked highly of Anaconda Pintler Pets and the family is asking those wishing to send memorials do so in Jerry’s name to this amazing organization (P.O. Box 1204, Anaconda, MT 59711).
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena is handling all arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com. A special thank you to Randy Wilke for going above and beyond our family’s needs and expectations.
You will be missed Jer, but your dry sense of humor will always be remembered!
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Service Schedule
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Beverly A. Matz says
Joan & Cathy. My deepest sympathy goes out to you both. It is so hard to loose a loved one. I’m saddened to hear of yet another person loosing the cancer fight. It hits close to home as you well know.
Jerry will be with you always in your heart & memories. May they give you comfort during your grief.
Charlie and Patti Anderson says
It was a privilege to have known Jerry; he lived with such dignity and fullness of life. A loss, not only to his family, but to his friends.
Deepest sympathy.
Fred & Jenny Kremer says
Joan and family,
We are so sad to hear about Jerry. It meant a lot to me to get to talk to him a few days ago. He sounded so good & he warmed my heart. You are in our hearts and prayers and we hope to see you soon.
Love, Fred & Jenny
Joni Minnehan says
Dear Susan and family,
I am so sorry to hear you lost your dad. He was a wonderful man. You are in my thoughts.
Sincerely,
JONI
Laura says
My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May our Lord be with you and comfort you. Jerry was a dear, caring, loving man. I was blessed to have known him.
Mark Neely says
So sorry to hear Joan, Sue and Cathy. I will never forget Jerry.
Mike Hammer says
Susan and Family, please accept my deepest sympathies at the loss of your father. I always enjoyed it when he was working at the Anaconda Safeway. I am glad that he too supported the Pintler Pets and we will continue our support of them. Mike
Rod and Lani Conti says
Jer, fair winds and following seas to my shipmate, roommate, and long time friend. I was there for your hole-in-one, the only one I have ever personally witnessed! We didn’t always agree politically, but I want you to know I still love you, man.
God’s speed to your eternal resting place with Him. Peace be with your spirit.
Steve Janus says
Thou we knew each other for most of our adult life,the last twelve or so years we spent vacationing together are some of the fondest memories of my life. I will miss you friend and will always remember 9/11 and your hole in one. Rest in Peace.
Susan Sadler says
Mu heart goes out to you Joan in your loss. I’m so glad we reconnected and had some fun times with you and Jerry. You and your girls were so fortunate to have him in your lives.