1934–2015

Marriner Lang Beckstead was born on April 23, 1934 in Nephi, UT to Dr. Francis Hamilton Beckstead and Edith Belliston Beckstead. He was the second of three children with brother, Robert and sister, Elizabeth. He Graduated from Juab High School and BYU then completed a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University majoring in Music Theory in 1958. He had a great passion for music that lasted the whole of his life, with expertise in many instruments.

He married Jean Winterbottom in 1953 and together had five children, Wesley, Susan, Joan, David, and Mathew. After graduation from BYU, Marriner moved his family to the state of Nevada where he taught in Clark County School District as a Band director and coach of Basketball and Golf. After 30 years teaching high school, Marriner and Jean served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Denmark in 1991–1993 and then Tonga in 1995–1996.

Marriner’s great loves were in his wife Jean, his family, and in serving his Heavenly Father. He was an avid fisherman, and his favorite past-time was having fishing Utah’s streams for trout. He was also a fan of all Brigham Young University athletics.

Marriner is survived by his wife, Jean, his children and their spouses, Orville and Susan Hastings of Kaysville, UT, Joan and Michael Mabe of Richmond, VA, David and Nancy Beckstead of Pocatello, ID, and Mathew and Virginia Beckstead of Nolanville, TX, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Wesley, passed away at the age of six. Marriner was an honorable man, leader, father, mentor, and servant of God.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 in the Elk Ridge 3rd Ward, 450 East Park Drive. Friends may call Monday evening from 6–8 pm and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Interment will be in the Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery.

Published in the Daily Herald July 26, 2015,