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Debbie Beck passed away around 9:00am on the morning of July 20,2009, in McAlester , OK. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brumley-Mills in McAlester.
Debbie and her girls Jessica (14) and Amanda(11) really appreciated the many cards our classmates have sent her over the last few weeks. The girls were amazed that the cards came from "all over the country". Thanks to everyone who sent Debbie a card.
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Cheryl Fields (Crawford)
Here is the link to sign the guest book electronically if you are not able to attend the memorial service.Jeff, my heart, my thoughts & prayers go out to you. I am so glad you took the time to reconnect with Debbie after thirty years. What a comfort for her.....
Joyce Callen (Huckabay)
To All:Jeff Dawson is putting together a memorial video of Debbie for her daughters. He called tonight and asked for pictures of Debbie. I only have one but I thought the Surfs probably have a lot!
If you have any pics - you can send them to him electronically at jdawson41@netzero.com. He is taking pictures to the videographer on Saturday (tomorrow) but he'll take them anytime and get them to the girls.
Annette Solomon (Shamas)
Joyce and Jeff,I will look for the Surf's photos that I have. I also have the videotapes from the shows.
Debbie was a wonderful person. I remember her kind, calm nature and her sweet smile. We spent many soaking wet hours together and her enthusiasm for life lifted us all.
John Helander
Another wonderful lady gone. We will catch up in that "higher place" one day soon my friend.Love to you and yours Debbie,
John
Jeff Dawson
DebbiesTribute
Second Chances
Debbie Beck Larson
For thirty years I sought out the one true love of my life. I knew a woman like her would not stay single. She would marry, raise a family and have a really good life.
We all have loves’ in our lives, but Debbie was different. There is a song about faded memoires. Ribbons from her hair,torn faded photographs ( I have both). Her memory never faded from my heart. Her personality, smile and infectious laughter made a lasting impression on myself and all of us she came in contact with who she considered a dear friend.
Our lives took different paths, yet we stayed in touch without seeing or talking to each other. Usually word of mouth, or a mutual friend would pass on a snippet through modern technology.
Early December I was in Tulsa for my son Shawn’s fight. Just being in Tulsa stirred the old feelings and curiosities about Debbie and her life. I talked to my son for around 10 minutes about dropping off a business card at her parents’ house. It still took thirty minutes to leave the card. I felt like I was back in High School.
Two weeks passed without a word. I resigned myself to the fact that either her parents had moved, she was married or in a relationship and I would never hear from her again.
I received a call in the middle of the afternoon completely engrossed in work. I was waiting for a female from a supply company to call with probably not real good news. The voice on the other end said “Hi Jeff, it’s Debbie. My reply was and? Long pause. You know how she could emphasize a point. Jeff, this is Debbie. Another long pause as I removed my foot from my mouth. Later she told me, she almost hung up. The long lost connection had been made.
She told me briefly of her life and the ups and downs we have all encountered. Then she got serious. Single mom and recovering from breast cancer with no hair. I was not swayed.
I came to McAlester in January to visit she and the girls. Her smile had not changed. There was something still there. Now the girls, that’s another story. The evil eye, the glare, the who are you and why are you here look. Then they ran up the stairs. That went well.
IT was the beginning of a second chance with Debbie. Despite the illness, the treatments and the adversities she was facing, it was another chance.
She and girls gave me a new outlook for life. Work to live, not vice-versa. I cannot describe the happiness and joy these three beautiful ladies brought into my life.
For seven wonderful months I was allowed the honor and pleasure of being a part of their lives. Movies, trips to the store, cooking out, fireworks and believe it or not grocery shopping. Every trip was an adventure. I would like to share just one story at this time.
We went to Braum’s for lunch one day. We had been dating for about three months. The girls were under the impression that Mom was untouchable and could get away with everything when it came to me. Not exactly the case. Debbie was not big on trying new foods. I had a strawberry shake which she found quit disturbing. She kept threatening to put something in it. This disturbed the girls. Their mom was messing with his drink. That’s wrong. We would never get away with that. Well, I kept telling her to do her worst. What no one noticed is that my right hand was on the bottom the cup and when her face came within about an inch of the cup, I gave it a good squeeze. From her chin to her glasses was covered in strawberry. The girls were in shock as was she. The playing field had now been leveled. None of them ever again complained or discussed about my menu.
The most important lesson those three taught me, was how to enjoy being part of a family and re-learning how to love again.
Even though our time was cut short, I would not have missed a minute of it.
Are second chances worth having a heart broken again-to this the answer is an emphatic YES!
Good-bye Debbie, rest in peace.
Love
Jeff
Tom Kittell
Bless you, Jeff.Rest in peace, Debbie.
Anyone who read this learned the ultimate life-lesson.
Tom
Blythe Barfield (Waugh)
I sent a few pics from Surfs to the girls with a note.Pam Brown (Robison)
Dear Classmates:A note from Rob Beck, Debbie's only sibling:
After talking with Jessica and Amanda, we plan to buy them each a “Mother’s Love” pendant and necklace from James Avery and give it to them this weekend. Please extend to your classmates my family’s and my heartfelt thanks for their thoughtfulness and prayers!
Rob
Jeff Dawson
Debbie's ashes were laid to rest on Saturday August 8th in Tulsa at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church on 71st and Granite. She is placed in the garden by the main doors.It was worth waiting thirty years, it is worth the heartache and grief that has followed. If I would not have pursued her, we both would have been denied an unfinished love. Please, to all classmates, no matter what the year, if there is someone out there you seek, do not wait until tomorrow to start the search, look now!
Tomorrow might be too late.
Pam Brown (Robison)
Update on Debbie's girls - Jessica and Amanda.
Just in time for today's mini-reunion, I wanted to let everyone know that this week I spoke with Debbie's beautiful kids (via text and Facebook). Wednesday was Jess's 15th birthday. Both girls are doing amazingly well. They are now living with their father in Arkansas and are making straight A's. They do get back to Tulsa every once in a while to visit their grandparents, Uncle Rob, and my girls.
I imagine this will be a tough weekend for them due to Mother's Day. Please keep them in your prayers.