James Beech

James Franklin "J.F." Beech, 95, of Chatom, passed away Friday, November 12, 2021 at his residence surrounded by family. He was born in Choctaw County on Saturday, April 3, 1926 to Benjamin Franklin Beech and Lola Chappel Beech. The oldest veteran in Washington County, he was a proud career veteran of the U.S. Army. He served during WWII, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. After retirement from the Army, he was employed with Loomis Armored Car Service in San Jose, CA. He returned to his home in the Hobson community after retirement and was baptized on August 14, 2014 at 88 years of age. He enjoyed motorcycles and watching the Dallas Cowboys and University of Alabama football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ina (Ramey) Palmer, Juanita (Homer) Jones, Bulah (Hilton) Beech, Nell Morris; brother-in-law, Kelley Ketchum; niece, Debbie Lozano and nephew, Jimmy Beech.
He is survived by a sister, Louise Ketchum and brother-in-law, Paul Morris. Although he never had children of his own, he was a much beloved uncle to Sharron (Terry) Williams, Pam (Eddie) Phillips, Greg (Sherry) Morris, Suzanne (Shane) Carpenter, Douglas (Lisa) Beech, Renda (Clyde) Cotton, Ginger (Wendell) Singleton, Derrell (Sarah) Jones, Billy Jones, Phillip Palmer, Sandra (Nelson) Smith, Sylvia (Paul) Farill and a host of great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Hobson Assembly of God with the Rev. Steve Foster officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Jones Beech Cemetery in Hobson with Lathan Funeral Home directing.
Pallbearers will be Shane Carpenter, Tyler Dykes, Phillip Palmer, Peyton Singleton, Wendell Singleton and Terry Williams.
Honorary pallbearers will be his caregivers, Alisha Carpenter, Ashley Harvison, Jackie Legg, Christy McMillian, Mallory Phillips and Louella Wood.
Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhome.com.