Brock Beckham's Obituary
Brock Beckham
August 22, 1949 – July 6, 2023
Gary Brock Beckham, age 73, passed away in Ijamsville, Maryland, on July 6, 2023. Brock (only strangers called him Gary) was born August 22, 1949, in Washington, DC. He was the son of LTC Thomas M. Beckham, USA, Retired, and Ethel Fowler Beckham. Brock grew up and lived in many places including DC, Maryland, France, Germany, and Japan. He was a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a BA in English Literature.
Being a very talented, artistic person, Brock pursued a career as a hair stylist and barber, working for many years at Gentlemen’s Choice in Frederick and Custom Cuts in Monrovia. He had numerous regular customers over the years and remained friends with some of them after his “retirement.” He was forced to stop working in 2012 when he suffered a massive stroke. He fought hard and regained his ability to walk and perform most other functions but just could not regain enough use of his left hand to be able to cut hair any longer.
Brock was an early adopter of the personal computer and the internet. He maintained an online presence until the day of his death. In the early days of the internet, he started an online group for people suffering from depression and anxiety where he offered support and companionship to many individuals, some of whom became good friends of his and were able to offer him some support in return after he had his stroke.
Brock is survived by his devoted sister Rhonda Beckham, brother and sister-in-law Tim and Sherry Beckham, niece and nephew Rachel and Griffin Sloan, niece Kate Beckham, and his beloved great-nephew Grayson Sloan. He is also survived by many other family members and wonderful friends.
Brock was preceded in death by his father, Thomas, in 1994, his grandmother, Helen Beckham, in 1997, his mother, Ethel, in 2002, and his sister-in-law, Debbie McCusker in 2022.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm at The Signature Club at Greenview Clubhouse, 5811 Empire Blvd, New Market, MD 21774.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Frederick, the Frederick County Humane Society, the ASPCA, or any cat-related charity of your choosing as Brock was a great lover of cats. Donations may also be made to the American Red Cross. Brock was especially close to his grandmother, Helen, who worked for the Red Cross for many years.
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