Duncan Beecham, Jr.

Duncan James Beecham, Jr., 76, went to be with the Lord on September 12, 2020 in Kingsville, Texas.  He was born on August 12, 1944 in Houston, Texas to Duncan James and Willie Betty Beecham.

Duncan’s family moved to Kingsville where he attended King Star Church and School.  As a teenager he demonstrated a strong work ethic and worked as a paper boy.  After graduating high school, he left to Mortuary College in Houston, Texas and then returned to Kingsville to work at Cage & Piper Funeral Home.  In 1966, he joined the US Army serving several years and eventually began work for Mission Pacific Railroad Company where he worked for 38 years, 6 months, and 7 hours after which he retired.  Lovingly referred to as Uncle Dunc or “Smiley,” he will be remembered for his loving, caring personality and as someone who never met a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Duncan and Willie and son, Sean Beecham.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Beecham; children, Andrea (Eric) Murrell of Athens, TX; Patraic Beecham of Waxahachie, TX; Shelby Clack of Kingsville, TX, Brittney Scott of Kingsville, TX; granddaughters, Dejuanna Beecham, Ja’lishia Johnson, La’moene Scott, Daesha Brooks, Elenor Woodruff; grandsons, Kaston Murrell, Karmon (Gabrielle) Murrell, Willie Lewis; sister, Myrtia (Leon) Story of Florida; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 17, 2020 concluding with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Turcotte Piper Mortuary in Kingsville.  Burial will be on Friday September 18, 2020 at 10 AM at Coastal Bend State Veteran’s Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas 78363.