Edward Alan Beck, 71

Ed passed away April 27, 2012, at Hospice of Spokane after a two-year battle with Leukemia.

He was born in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 22, 1940, to Edward and Pearl Beck. He grew up in Portland and graduated from Franklin High School in 1958. He attended Oregon State University for three years, and was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. He transferred to and graduated from Portland State University in 1964. While attending college he met and fell in love with his “blind date” JoAnn Adams, and they were married on Sept. 29, 1962.

In January 1968 he began his long and distinguished career with State Farm Insurance. During his more than 40 years of service he worked in Personnel, Claims, and Agency Management, but he will be best remembered for his years as a successful State Farm Agent. He retired in March 2010.

Ed had a long history of community and civic involvement which included Kiwanis, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, The Post Falls Food Bank, Highlands Golf Course and Prairie Falls Men’s Golf League. In his earlier years he served for the Salem Jaycees and the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce and the Apple Blossom Festival. He also was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in several areas, serving on the board and as an Elder.

Ed was an enthusiastic and talented golfer, a skill he began in childhood with his father. He had a lifelong love of animals, enjoyed fishing, boating on Lake Pend Oreille and travel. Ed and JoAnn traveled extensively for more than 30 years. His favorite destinations included Montreal, Hawaii, London and Barcelona.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years and seven months, JoAnn; his son, Daryl Alan of Spokane Valley; his daughter, Laura Medrud of Olympia, Wash., and her husband Brad. Ed has one beloved grandchild, Paul Medrud. He is also survived by his younger sisters, Leann Martin (Neill), Patricia Beck Fries (Thomas) and Pamela Foggia (Mike), all of Portland, Ore.

A private funeral and interment will be held at Portland Memorial Mausoleum with family and close friends.

We greatly appreciate the help and support of friends over the last two years, especially Dan and Coleen McNeill of Newport, Ore., and Mike and Bobby Altman of Spokane. We also thank Dr. Danko Martincic and the staff at Cancer Care Northwest; the nurses at Spokane Valley Hospital; and the nurses and staff at Sullivan Park Care Center.

Remembrances can be sent to JoAnn at P.O. Box 370, Veradale, WA 99037. His family suggests any donations be made to the Post Falls Food Bank or Habitat for Humanity in his name.