Jay Thomas Beckley

Jay Thomas Beckley went back home on August 5, 2024, at the age of 97. Born October 11, 1926, in Oldfield, Missouri. He was the youngest son of Frank and Hattie Beckley. He went to school in Hartville, Missouri where he loved playing high school basketball, even thou he was the tallest. Jay loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing with his 3 brothers, Rex, Dana and Max. When WW2 broke out, his brothers went to service, but Jay was too young to go. He was upset with his parents for not signing his papers so he could go early. He had to wait until he was 18, at which time he joined the Navy in 1944. After being discharged from the Navy, he used his Navy benefits to attend trade school to fix office machines, typewriters and adding machines. It was a trade that sustained him for 45 years. After trade school he moved to CA with his new wife Betty Jean, settling down in Visalia. They had 2 children, Debbie and Dave. He went to work for Valley Typewriter company repair and servicing equipment. In 1977 he went out on his own and started Jays Office Machines. He and his wife Betty ran the business until his retirement in 1987. Jay loved to play golf, go fishing and camping, and liked doing wood working projects around the home. He was an active member of Masonic Lodge 720. There, he eventually became master of the lodge in 1973. He was an example of what a family man should be and taught by example, always kind and patient. He and his wife raised their children, and even after a long day at work he always made time for his kids. He is preceded in death by his daughter Deborah in 1986. Then again in 2005 by passing of his beloved wife Betty. He taught us how to grow through loss and grief of losing someone so close and how to get through the process of grieving. Dad liked trips to the coast, driving through the mountains and would always have a story to tell about all the things he and his brother Dana used to do while camping and fishing. He loved being with his family and grandchildren. There was no place we could go that he and his brothers hadn't been there years before. As the years passed, and he could no longer play golf he would watch it on TV as well as basketball and football. Baseball was too long to watch he would say. For the past 8 years of his life his roommate was his grandson Morgan, with whom he held in the highest regard. Jay is survived by son David, daughter-in-law Maria, grandkids; Thomas, Morgan and Rebecca Beckley, Sara Beckley-Maltez and her husband Jose, Keegan and Vanessa Stephenson. Great Grandchildren include; Alice Jean, Meridith Paige Beckley, Amelia Magdalena Maltez, Austin, Savanah, Makayla and Ethan Stephenson. We love you and you will be missed, until we meet again. Graveside services will be held 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Jay Thomas Beckley

October 11, 1926 - August 5, 2024