Dwayne Charles Beckford was born July 20, 1949, in Riverside, Calif., to Andrew Beckford and Lucille Hillman Beckford. His father's military career took the family to many locations before finally settling in Mapleton, Kan. He graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1967 and Kansas State University in 1972. He married his high school sweetheart, Rita Hyson, in 1970. They had three daughters.
He spent over 30 years in the Army Reserves, retiring at the rank of Colonel in 2009. One of his final assignments was serving as the commander of the Lawrence Reserve Unit. He greatly enjoyed annual training in Alaska, spending time in a military leadership role. He also engaged in one of his favorite pastimes there, fishing.
Dwayne spent his civilian career teaching high school. He taught a range of subjects, including vocational agriculture, horticulture and science, as well as serving as an FFA advisor. He began teaching in Lakin, Kan., before moving to Jayhawk-Linn in Mound City. While at Mound City, Dwayne served on the city council, school board and the Sugar Mound Arts and Crafts Festival Committee. Dwayne was instrumental in helping to start the committee’s annual scholarship fund. He retired from teaching at Paola High School in 2010 after 21 years.
Dwayne was a lifelong learner, earning a master’s degree in science and continuing to take classes throughout his life. He enjoyed gardening, raising animals, fishing, reading and photography. He always had at least one dog, and often a flock of sheep or goats, as well as occasional cows or a donkey. He shared these interests with his daughters and later his grandchildren. He remained busy in retirement, serving on the Miami County Conservation Board, the election board and as Stanton Township Clerk. He was active in his local church.
He is remembered by others for his kind and generous nature and his faithfulness to the Bible and what he believed. Dwayne was a longtime donor to many charitable groups. He always sought to give back. He would encourage you to become an organ donor.
Dwayne left this life Sept. 12, 2019, surrounded by family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as three brothers, Everett, Alan and David.
He is survived by Rita, his wife of 49 years; daughters Jody (Ken) Schroeder, Katie (J.R.) Lidgett and Megan (John) Withers; grandchildren Melissa, Anika, Lilly, Dillen and Isaac; brother Andrew Beckford and sister Leota Keller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Contributions in Dwayne’s honor may be made to The Kansas City Foundation for Pulmonary Fibrosis or the Paola High School FFA chapter in care of the funeral home.
Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 19, at Paola First Baptist Church from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, also at the church. Burial will follow at the Mapleton Cemetery.
OBITUARIES
Bryan Lee Turpen ~ 03-25-1977 to 12-21-2024
Linn County News Published January 1, 2025 Bryan Lee Turpen, age 47, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. He was born on March 25, 1977, in Paola, Kan., the son of Joe Junior and Phyllis K. LeRoy Turpen. He graduated from Prairie View High School... [More]
Darrell Eugene Jackson ~ 02-12-1938 to 12-17-2024
Linn County News Published December 25, 2024 Darrell Eugene Jackson, age 86, passed away at his Mound City, Kan., home on Dec. 17, 2024. Darrell was born on Feb. 12, 1938, in Bronson, Kan. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Raymond and Bertha (Colgin)... [More]
Elda Mae Burch ~ 2-17-1946 to 12-19-2024
Linn County News Published December 25, 2024 Elda Mae Burch, 78, of Pleasanton, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Olathe Hospice House following a long battle with her health. Elda Mae was born at home in Miami County on Dec. 17, 1946, to Corval Wayne and... [More]
More Obituaries
- Monty Ray Maus ~ 06-02-1964 to 12-12-2024
- Mark Bradley Lee ~ 02-08-1963 to 12-13-2024
- Joseph “Jody” Charles Haen ~ 10-08-1952 to 12-10-2024
- Keith Alan Smith ~ 12-01-1952 to 12-07-2024
- Sherman Leroy Spence ~ 08-09-1940 to 12-06-2024
- Richard Lee Lindsey ~ 10-06-2955 to 12-08-2024
- Merle Lynn Schneider ~ 11-04-1948 to 12-06-2024
- Cynthia Eileen “Cindy” Staton ~ 03-31-1957 to 11-26-2024
NEWS
USD 362 proceeds with Vo-Ag fire damage fix
District will use bidding services of Wichita consulting firm At their Dec. 17 monthly meeting, Unified School District 362 board of education members verbally concurred to proceed on fixes from a Nov. 22 fire at Prairie View High. Following research compiled by... [More]
County exploring option for new fire station
During the Dec. 16 commissioners meeting, Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported to commissioners that he and Assistant Fire Chief Brian Shroyer had recently attended an ISO rating training event and that he had been discussing the possibility of a new fire station... [More]
La Cygne mulls compactor contract
Leaders still hesitant after county rep appearance La Cygne city leaders will continue consideration on whether to sign a new county/city trash compactor agreement that follow in-person discussions at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting with Shaun West,... [More]
More News
- Commissioners review 900 Road issues with engineer
- Emotions flare at ‘spirited’ Parker meeting
- County Clerk reads statement on discrepancy reported by auditor
- Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
- Lettuce, lettuce for everyone
- Local food drives to aid Linn County organizations and families
- Commissioner questions process of clerk’s resignation, appointment
- La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
SPORTS
Prairie View boys’ and girls’ basketball face league foes Santa Fe Trail and Iola
The Prairie View basketball teams had a busy week before Christmas break as they hosted Santa Fe Trail on Dec. 17 and traveled to Iola on Dec. 19 for Pioneer League games. The girls did well as they won both their games while the boys battled but did not fare as well losing... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earn wins at Miami
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team traveled to Miami on Dec. 17 for a non-league, Missouri game before the Christmas break. The Jays just had a second-place finish in the Linn County Tournament the week prior and the team continued their winning ways as they defeated... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball wins Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
- Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
- Prairie View football sets multiple school and individual records
- Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
- All County Volleyball team 2024
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