Michael Gary Beckton was a man who preferred to avoid, in his words, “imperial entanglements.” By this, he meant he chose to remain invisible to all figures and establishments of authority. Examples of such entanglements included speeding tickets, tax audits, regular health checkups, and any kind of conformist expectations of behavior. He was very successful in this pursuit, but it turns out that there was one entanglement even he could not avoid. Following a long and valiant battle, Mike finally surrendered to the ultimate imperial entanglement: Death. On Sunday, September 13, Mike walked on to discover what the next mysterious chapter holds. We can’t wait to hear his stories about it.

We know what Mike will be looking out for, because we know what he loved in this life. First and foremost is always Arlene, the love of his life, and the family they built together. LaDawn, Lisa, and their families, as well as Tim’s children. Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Arlene Beckton, and his two daughters, LaDawn (Scott) Showers and Lisa (Lee Young) Beckton. He was the best playmate and cheerleader to his grandchildren Blake (Clem) Showers-Turner, Tiffany (Roby Fultz) Fortson, Amber Fortson, Joseph Fortson, Blaire (Jacob) Sommers, Timothy Beckton, Mica Beckton, Abby Beckton, Derek (Anilenis Batista) Beckton, and Malcolm Showers. The tradition continued with his great-grandchildren Izaiah Fortson, Oliver Young, Amelia Young, Amir Fultz, Aiden Fultz, and Seqoia Fortson. The Beckton siblings will be one loud voice short at their next reunion, and Mike will be missed by Leland Beckton, Karen (Craig) McInnis, Peter (Carol) Beckton, Barbara (Marty) Ignatowski, and Ellen Funk, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

It is a comfort to imagine Mike together again with his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Crystal Beckton, and his own parents, Janis and Leland Beckton, along with his youngest brother Joseph Beckton. He will be welcomed at the campfire by his sisters-in-law Marvel Battice and Bobbie Lukowski, and his best friend Gary Wolner will probably ask what took him so long. Wilma Battice, Mike’s mother-in-law, will be cooking Sunday dinner for him, and Bob Battice, Mike’s father-in-law, will be lining up a home improvement project for them to tackle together.

Mike will be remembered fondly by many people beyond his family for his sense of humor and fun. He was a loyal friend and a guy you wanted to have in your corner. He could always be counted upon to share whatever he had with whoever needed it. Woe betide the fool who mistook this kindness for weakness, for he also never met a battle he didn’t commit to with ferocious abandon. Most often, these were in defense of those he loved. We are all a bit less protected now, but we must appreciate having had the benefit of his shelter for so long. We will feel his absence in this and many other ways.