Johnny Joseph Beck

Johnny “John” Joseph Beck, 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at his residence surrounded by family. He was born February 11, 1956 in Rawlings, Wyoming to Rudolph Ortiz and Ralph “Neal” and Margaret Beck.

He was a 1974 graduate of Frontier High School. He has five brothers, Rick Beck (Shelli), Robert Beck (Ann), Johnny Ortiz, Jake Ortiz, and Rudolph “Rudy” Jr. He has three sisters, Margie Lutes (Dawn), Pam Copen (Dave), and Diane Thomas. He married Sharon (Davis) Beck, March 3, 1979. Together they have two daughters, Renee’ Fisher-Beck (Jason) of Orangevale, CA and Tracey Bartrug (Dustin) of St. Marys, WV. They have five grandchildren, Riley, Natalie, and Connor Bartrug and Aspen and Stone Fisher-Beck. He also has multiple nieces and nephews.

John worked at American Cyanamid and later at Willow Island Power Plant where he retired in 2012. He was also a council member for the City of Belmont, a volunteer firefighter, worked at the local funeral home, Ruttencutters, was a member of the Freedom Riders, and a member of Miller’s Amputee Center. He was a well-respected man in multiple communities, and would win the hearts of many children and their families when he played his most loved role as Santa for more than twenty years in many homes and events. He also was known as Smokey the Bear at Pleasants County Safetytown. He touched many lives while on Earth, many strangers became friends and many friends became family. He was a simple man that just believed he needed to help others and to show everyone kindness.

A funeral wake will be held 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Belmont First Baptist Church in Belmont, West Virginia.

Lambert Tatman Funeral Home has been entrusted with John’s final wishes and is honored to serve his family.