Henry Gooch Beckham, Jr., 83, of Lancaster, died Sunday, December 13, 2009 at his residence. Born April 26, 1926, in Lancaster, he was a son of the late Henry Gooch Beckham, Sr., and the late Annie Sue Broadwater Beckham. Mr. Beckham graduated from Lancaster High School as valedictorian in 1943 and graduated from the Citadel in 1949 with a degree in civil engineering. He served his country as a petty officer in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He was a registered professional engineer and spent his entire career with Springs Industries. He began with Springs as a draftsman, then continued as a design engineer, the plant engineer, and later became divisional superintendent of framing and finishing. At retirement Mr. Beckham was Director of Engineering Design and Director of Utilities Services. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church where his roles included Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, member of the Administrative Board, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Lay member to the United Methodist Annual Conference. Mr. Beckham was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers, where he served as president in 1970. He was a member of the Lancaster Rotary Club, served on the board of the Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority from 1976 to 2008, and served as secretary of the board from 2001 to 2006. He was a board member of the Lancaster County Council on Aging from 1999 to 2006 where he served on several committees including the executive and building committees. He was also a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Respite Program. Mr. Beckham was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Crosland Beckham who died October 9, 1990 and a brother, Daniel Honour Beckham. Survivors include his daughter, Susan Beckham Zurenda and her husband Wayne of Spartanburg; son, Henry David Beckham of Lancaster; sister, Emily Beckham McLane of Gaffney; two granddaughters, Julia Kathleen Jackson and Elissa Susanne Jackson; two grandsons, Jonathan Daniel Beckham and Henry David Beckham, Jr., two nieces, and four nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dan Batson and The Reverend Steve Morgan officiating. Interment will follow in Lancaster Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Mahaffey Funeral Home & Cremation Center. The family suggests that those who wish may make donations to First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721, Home Care & Hospice of Lancaster, 902 West Meeting Street, Lancaster, SC 29720, or the Lancaster County Council on Aging, 309 S. Plantation Road, Lancaster, SC 29720 in memory of Mr. Beckham. Mahaffey Funeral Home & Cremation Center is assisting the Beckham family, please visit www.mahaffeyfuneral.com to leave a condolence message. Tags: 1949
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