Jack McCuiston Beck passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Newlin Beck and Bettie Virginia Carpenter Slaughter, and a sister, Jeanette O. Tyler. He is survived by his loving wife Cynthia (Cindy) Beck of 44 years, his son, Brian Christopher Beck, grandson, Kody A. Beck, granddaughter Alexis Harris (Caleb), great grandson, Kyson Harris and siblings Dolly N. Crowder, James R. “Bud” Beck, Betty S. Bower, Nancy S. Wall, and Bonnie S. Perkinson, numerous nieces and nephews.

He was born in Waverly, Virgina where he developed a lifetime friendship with the family of Harold Chambers Sr., his wife Lily and their children, Harold Jr., Lawrence, Clarence, and Joyce Ann Chambers Wells. As a child he spent time hunting and fishing on the Chambers’ farm and worked in the peanut fields in the summer. Jack has called the Chambers’ farm his “Heaven on Earth.” Through out his life he always went back to visit his “Home Place” and the Chambers’ family and enjoyed coon and deer hunting with his beloved hounds on the farm in Waverly.

Jack’s love for country life never wavered. He lived in Dinwiddie with his wife Cindy for 35 years raising his son, his coon and deer dogs. He loved his dogs and considered them pets that just happened to hunt. During these years he enjoyed taking his son and nephews deer hunting and enjoyed competition coon hunting. He hosted family gatherings for birthdays and holidays with both his and Cindy’s families.

He graduated in 1963 from Petersburg High School where he lettered in football for junior varsity and varsity football. He served as Co-Captain of the Petersburg varsity team doing double duty as quarterback and half back. In 1961 Jack was selected to play baseball for Colonial Heights American Legion Post 284. The team won the State and Southeast legion baseball championship and placed 6th in the American Legion World series in Nebraska. After high school he played baseball for a semi-pro team and for Woodpecker Lodge.

He was employed by Allied Signal in Hopewell until he was drafted into the Army in1967. He took this call to duty and love for his country very seriously. He was deployed with the 125th Air Calvary to Vietnam in1968. During his tour Jack received a Bronze Star with Valor cited for personal bravery and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry’s Badge, Air Medal, and Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post #284.

After his discharge from the Army, Jack was employed by Southwestern Life Insurance Company until 1979. He then worked in the auto paint and body repair business. He opened Beck’s Body Shop in Petersburg for several years before working as the body shop manager at several local area car dealerships. In 1986 Jack joined State Farm Insurance Companies as an auto estimator and property claims trainer until he retired in 2006.

After retiring from State Farm, he continued to work part-time. A representative from the law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen contacted Jack to assist in establishing Diminution of Value claims for property damages on behalf of their clients. His expertise and training qualified him as an expert to testify in a court of law.

After moving to Colonial Heights in 2014 Jack enjoyed playing golf with the Fort Lee Senior Golf League for several years and continued working out at the gym, hunting and fishing and feeding his squirrels. He loved attending his retiree get-togethers with his State Farm former co-workers and social functions with his wife’s Tri-Cities VA ZTA Alumnae Chapter Sisters and their husbands and his neighbors. Whatever the occasion whether it was a Fourth of July celebration or Christmas open house at his home he welcomed his guests with love and hospitality making these functions fun and always filled with laughter.

One of his State Farm friends remembers Jack as “one of the last true ‘country gentleman’ with a mischievous smile and twinkle in his eyes that brightened up your day. He lived each day by a creed that showed respect for his fellow man, kindness and generosity to others and was one of those special souls who not only believed but also practiced the Golden Rule.”

Special thanks to our neighbor Sharon Sculthorpe for her friendship and support during Jack’s declining health during his last six months of his life.

A private memorial service followed by a family visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, will be held at E. Alvin Small Funeral Home and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA, 23834. Interment will take place at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Court House, VA 23002.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dinwiddie Animal Shelter (https://www.dinwiddieva.us/209/Donations), American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/), American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/), Shriner’s Hospital (https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/)or any other charity of your choosing. Arrangements are by E. Alvin Small Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences may be expressed at https://www.ealvinsmall.com.