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Submitted: 5/10/21 • Approved: 5/11/21 • Last Updated: 5/14/21 • R417647-G0-S3
March 24, 1901-June 20, 1969
Dr. Waldo A. Beckley
Please see Beckley Family Marker
Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Waldo Beckley
Last Residence:
79007 Borger, Hutchinson, Texas, USA
BORN: 24 Mar 1901
Died: Jun 1969
Dr. Waldo Beckley, 68, a prominent Borger dentist, died Friday at 11 a.m. at the Denver, Colo., home of his daughter, Mrs. Bob Page.
His death came of an apparent heart attack. He had been periodically ill for some time.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Monday at the Minton Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Winfred Moore, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, officiating.
Interment will be at Highland Park Cemetery under the direction of Minton Mortuary.
Dr. Beckley was born at Waco on March 24, 1901. He held his first job at the age of 13 when he worked in Waco as a cash boy.
He went on to graduate from the College of Dentistry at Baylor University. Two months later, on July 15, 1926, he opened his practice in Borger.
Borger was nearly five months old. Dr. Beckley was to continue his practice for 35 years.
He became known as "a dentist's dentist." Area practitioners sought him out for advice in many specialized areas.
He married Merle Witt on April 29, 1933. They reared two daughters, who became Mrs. Betty Lou Smith and Mrs. Barbara Page.
Beckley was active in the community. At one time he was president of the North Plains Knife and Fork Club. He belonged at various times to the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, the "50" Club, and the Creative Arts Club.
Eventually Beckley decided "you can't be a good dentist and be a joiner." But his energy and love of being with people never slackened.
After his retirement he was as active as ever. He ignored the rocking chair in favor of work in real estate, financial investments, and oil painting.
He won area and national acclaim as a painter. His work was displayed in New York, Amarillo and other Panhandle cities as well as Borger.
Beckley and his wife made their home in Borger at 600 W. Jackson and in Denver at 775 Salton Way.
Survivors include his wife Merle; a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Page of Denver; a sister, Miss Ida Mae Beckley of Dallas; and three grandchildren.
Casketbearers will be Jack Knight, Don Baker, George Boyd, Fritz Thompson, Dr. H.M. Hamra, Joe Houck, E.W. Laningham, and Dr. M.M. Stephens.
Honorary casketbearers will be members of the Panhandle District Dental Association.
(Published in Borger News Herald, June 22, 1969)
Contributed on 5/10/21
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Record #: 417647