Derek James Beckman

Derek James Beckman was born on November 16, 1980 in Houston, Texas to Jerry and Vicki Beckman, bringing a spirit of joy, a kind and loving heart, and a wickedly hilarious sense of humor and infectious bellowing laughter into the world with him. 

Derek spent his first year of life in Texas before moving with his family to southern California, where the seeds of his lifelong love of things like Angels baseball, Lakers basketball, and Mexican food were cemented at a young age. Several years later, he moved to Centerville, Utah with his family to return to their roots, and where he would go on to touch the lives of friends he grew up with. 

Whether it was through his early years at Reading Elementary, or making his way up through Centerville Junior High and then Viewmont High School, Derek would be the first to tell you that his primary focus and joy in life was being around his friends and sharing a laugh…or dozen, as was most often the case, and was especially true when it came in the form of mischief. 

He was a talented athlete who sharpened his skills in this area through countless hours of playing dunkball with his friends and older brothers, honing his talent at the annual Rick Majerus summer basketball camp, years’ worth of wiffle ball games in backyards of parents’ and grandparents’ homes, and sinking jump-shot after jump-shot starting in Junior Jazz and up through competitive leagues into his teenage years. More than anything, he loved these opportunities to be with his friends on and off the playing field, and continued to share his fond memories of these moments throughout his entire life.

Most important of all, those who were lucky enough to know Derek, whether from school, work, or other endeavors, will tell you that he had a warm and caring heart — unmatched in size by even his large physical stature — who would do anything he could to help a friend, family member, or co-worker in need, just as he would do the same to help a stranger passing by. 

Derek left us much too soon when he passed away on January 21, 2020 when his gentle fun-loving heart could take no more. We will truly miss his loving soul and unmistakable bellowing laughter that touched the lives of us and all those with whom he came in contact.

He is survived by his immediate family, including parents Jerry and Vicki Beckman; brothers Troy and sister-in-law Miranda with nieces Gemma and Vivien, Cort and sister-in-law Angela and nieces and nephews Isaac, Jayda, Violet, Hank and Louie; and younger sister Nicole and brother-in-law John Guerra and nephew William; as well as grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and many extended family members and friends.

Family, friends, colleagues, loved ones are invited to join the family in a special event to celebrate Derek’s life on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, located at 1941 N Main St, Farmington.