George Tyson Beckman, at age 91, took the last leg of his journey home to the Lord on April 9, 2025, surrounded by family who loved and adored him. Pilot, boat captain, poet, builder, pastor, and artist, George loved the freedom of flight, the exhilaration of adventure, and the celebration that comes with the experience of each dawn and dusk. He delighted in God’s creation and its beauty above and below the water. He marveled at the Creator’s artistry as expressed in the interesting people he met, creatures he encountered, and beautiful landscapes he experienced over his lifetime.
George was born on December 15, 1933, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, to Howard and Ruth Beckman. He was the oldest of three boys. At age 11, George’s family moved to Long Beach, California, where he worked in his uncle’s lumber company during his high school years. At the age of 19, George enlisted in the military and entered the Aviation Cadet Training Program, where he spent 16 months in the Cadet Corps, graduating as a second lieutenant. George served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years as a fighter pilot flying the T-33, F-86, F-102, and F-106. Four of those years were spent in Étain, France, where he traveled extensively across Europe while off-duty, developing an appreciation for French food and wine and nurturing his passion for auto-racing on European Grand Prix tracks.
The military led George to meet the love of his life, Vanetta Sue Poppas from Kokomo Indiana, on his assignment to Bunker Hill Air Force Base (aka Grissom AFB). They married in 1963 after his move to Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan as a part of the 71st Fighter Interceptor Squadron. With the impending birth of their first daughter in 1967, George left the Air Force to start the next chapter of his family life and aviation career in Miami, Florida, as a commercial pilot with National Airlines.
Living in Miami fueled George’s love of flying and sailing. When he wasn’t flying as a captain for National and Pan American Airlines, George was catching the wind in his sails on Biscayne Bay or in the Bahamas, forming tight bonds and friendships with other boaters in the Dinner Key Cruising Club, selling sailboats with Biscayne Yacht Sales, and running private boat charters. He also enjoyed waterskiing and windsurfing on the lake behind their home, beach volleyball, golf, tennis, strumming his guitar, spearfishing, and scuba diving.
George’s love of adventure and discovery led him to faraway places. He sailed extensively throughout the Caribbean, captained a boat of missionaries to Fiji, and, together with his first mate, Vanetta, lived aboard their trawler “Rapture” for two years in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. They enjoyed their time as sea-faring nomads, finding harbors and dropping anchor in remote places they called home, and making friends with other interesting and adventure-seeking boaters. They marked the end of each day with the tradition of blowing a conch horn at sunset. This tradition continued beyond their life at sea and during their years on land in Vero Beach where they lived seaside for a few decades before moving closer to their daughter Jill in Cary, North Carolina.
His love of aviation and music inspired a newfound passion for sculpting with stainless steel at the age of 57. The beautiful lines of aerial maneuvers and musical notes inspired George’s creation of over 600 kinetic sculptures that sold in prominent galleries across the United States. His hope was that his sculptures reflected the beauty of his Creator, brought joy to the viewer, and provided an opportunity to share his faith.
George was a mission-driven man, living life with purpose and intention whether on the land, in the air, or at sea. He had an enduring love for his family, friends, those in need, and most importantly, for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who transformed his life. He and Vanetta served in prison ministry and pastored a beach-church in George Town, Exuma, in the Bahamas for several years with their treasured boating community.
George and his younger brother Bill enjoyed motorcycle rides on their Harley Davidsons out West, especially to their family-owned shack in the desert in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Their love and admiration for each other was forged out of a shared faith and their zeal for the open road and the possibility of a good story emerging from every great ride together.
George was a masterful storyteller and captured many of his thoughts and perspectives in his writings. More than any other story, he loved sharing about his transformation through the redemptive power of the Lord and the hope and joy that flows from knowing that Jesus loves us more than we can ever comprehend.
George is survived by Vanetta Beckman, his wife of nearly 62 years, daughter Jill and husband Bill Vanarthos, daughter Amy Beckman, granddaughter Olivia and husband Josh Cianca, granddaughter Madalyn and husband Walker Renfrow, great granddaughter Indigo Cianca, unborn great-grandsons Wallace Keith Renfrow III (“Wallie”) and Cyprus Jules Cianca, and brother William (Bill) Beckman and wife Jan.
George is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ruth Beckman, his brother Richard (Dick) Beckman, and his nephew Richmond Beckman.
Our family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Gladys Kimani who lovingly cared for George for three years and to all the caregivers over the last several months who tirelessly helped to make his final days comfortable and joyful. Their care and compassion so beautifully exemplified the love of Christ, reminding us of Jesus’ words, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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