John Armstrong Beckman

John Armstrong Beckman passed away on his 64th birthday, May 25, 2021.

John was born in Enterprise, Alabama to Lud and Marjorie Beckman. As a military kid, he moved around a lot and lived in several places including Verona, Italy, and Niagara Falls, NY where his younger brother Steve was born. The Beckman family eventually settled in Lawton, Oklahoma.

John attended Garfield Elementary where his mother taught for many years. He then went to Tomlinson Jr. High and graduated from Lawton High School in 1975.

He attended Cameron University in Lawton and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, in Weatherford for his undergraduate degree in History, followed by a Master’s degree in History from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. He was a life-long Sooner fan.

While in grad school he met the love of his life, Bamah on his 23rd birthday.

They were married a year later on May 30th, 1981.

Together they had two wonderful daughters, Tabitha and Aubree, who were the pride and joy of John’s life.

John’s great passions in life were his family, history, books, football and his faith.

He was fortunate to work in a field that he adored.

He was a registrar at the Ft Sill Museum for 27 years. While working at the museum he began to teach night classes at Cameron University, and in retirement he took up teaching history at Cameron University full-time in 2010.

John was very active in his church and community. He loved singing and performing his whole life. He regularly sang in church choir, and in the Annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.

John also spent many years as a voice actor in the Prince of Peace Easter Pageant at the Holy City and later became the director of the voice cast.

He performed in several Lawton Community Theatre productions, often working behind the scenes as well.

He loved to play tabletop wargames with his friends.

John is survived by his wife, Bamah, his daughters, Tabitha (Krithi) and Aubree, his son-in-law, Krithi, his father Lud, (Neva), his brother Steve (Kathleen), his nephews and nieces, Steven (Britany), Sean (Kathryn), Erin, Vanessa, Nicole, Caitlyn, Zachary, Matthew and Ashley, his aunts, Carolyn, Dot and Peggy, his cousins Lauranne, Larry, Tim, Kathy, Roni, Amy, Lynn, David, and Billy.

He joins his mother Marjorie in heaven.

John’s life will be honored on June 19, 2021 at 11:00am at Centenary United Methodist Church, Lawton, OK.

In lieu of flowers, gifts are welcome in memory of John to the Cameron University Foundation, 2800 West Gore Blvd, Lawton, OK 73505 for a history scholarship.

There will also be the John Beckman senior scholarship trust fund at Centenary United Methodist Church, 704 SW D Avenue, Lawton, OK, 73501.

John’s passion for learning will support future students.

We also encourage people to donate to your local animal shelter, or to take the time to donate life-saving blood or plasma.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Armstrong Beckman, please visit our floral store.