James W. "Jim" Beckman, 71, of Lake Wales, Fla., died Saturday, May 10, 2014, at his home of congestive heart failure.
He was born July 10, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Wilbert and Margaret Beckman and moved to Lake Wales 12 years ago from Belvidere, Ill.
Jim attended St. Matthew's Catholic Elementary School, Immaculate Conception High School, and in 1960, graduated from the new Regis High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He was inducted into the Regis Hall of Fame in 1989. He went on to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where he also played basketball.
He entered the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. After returning home Jim went to work for the former Cherry Burrell Corporation, now Evergreen Packaging, first in purchasing and then sales. He stayed there for 27 years and his work took him all over the world.
In 1995, he became managing director of Sudmo North America. The company was sold and he and his wife retired to Lake Ashton in Florida in 2002.
He was finally able to play as much golf as he wished. He had a lifelong love/hate relationship with the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Janell; a daughter, Sara Alexander and husband Matt of Fox Point, Wis.; a grandson, Henry Alexander; and his brother, Steve and wife Jane of Bettendorf.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Lake Ashton Club in Lake Wales, Fla. Inurnment will be made at a later date at Beaufort National Cemetery in South Carolina.
Memorials of remembrance may be made to the Xavier Foundation, PO Box 10956, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410; St. Joseph Catholic Church, 532 Ave. M, NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881; or Cornerstone Hospice, 2590 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33881.
"GOLF CART FOR SALE!"
Please visit Jim's guest book at www.johnson funeralhomelakewales.net.

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