Donald Joe Beckham

A graveside service for Donald “Papa” Joe Beckham, 82, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Chaplain Jay Valentine.

Donald was born on January 26, 1940, in Minden, Louisiana to Phiners Harley Beckham and Vergia Lee Dodson Beckham and passed away on July 15, 2022.

Donald retired from the Bossier Parish Sherriff’s Office after 35 years. He was a proud graduate of Haughton High School. Donald’s hobbies and passions include all LSU sports, horseracing, and watching golf at the “Round Table” in his son-in-law David’s shop. When asked, all his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whenever he saw them “Who Loves you?” they would answer “Papa”.  Donald was loved by all and is going to be greatly missed.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Douglas Harley Beckham; and beloved dog Ruler. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Murphy Beckham; son, Douglas Beckham and wife, Alicia; daughter, Donna Kelsh and husband, David; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honoring Donald as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Matthew Moreland, Tyler Moreland, Cameron Beckham, Jake Beckham, Zac Kelsh, and Danny Morland. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Keith Cox, Donnie Keith, Jerry Hawkins, Jerry Mac Worley, Paul Johnson, Randy Wright, Freddy Lindy, and Kevin Cox.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.