Earmon "PeeWee" Beck, III

BECK

Earmon, III

Earmon “Pee Wee” Beck III, age 74, passed away peacefully at UPMC Presbyterian on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a beloved son, father, brother, uncle and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Pee Wee was born on September 13, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he spent his formative years. Pee Wee was the fifth child of sixteen siblings. He was a devoted Christian being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost of the Apostolic Faith Denomination.

Pee Wee attended McKelvey Elementary, Herron Hill Jr. High, and Fifth Avenue High School. He was an exceptional high school athlete and was a member of both the wrestling and baseball teams; he graduated in 1969, alongside his sister Dorothy. Pee Wee enlisted in the United States Navy on November 2, 1970. After basic training, Pee Wee furthered his education at the Seabee A School, a specialized training program where he received on-the-job experience. Subsequently, Pee Wee would hold rank as a Seaman, also known as a “Seabee”, which is a heterography of the initial letters “CB” from the words “Construction Battalion”. He worked in the Construction Battalion as a General Clerk and attained an E3 compensation classification. Pee Wee served in the Vietnam war and was awarded the following decorated medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietcong Service Medal. Pee Wee completed his last duty assignment on the USS Mispillion ship before being granted an honorable discharge on October 30, 1972. After returning home from war, and with hard work and dedication, Pee Wee excelled in his work as a Master Electrician, notably, at the Oxford One Center and U.S. Steel Building in downtown Pittsburgh.

In the 1980s, despite hard challenges and a dark time in his life, Pee Wee remained resilient in his faith in God; he was a true overcomer and was victorious in many endeavors. Pee Wee revitalized his life and completed training in counseling and became a role model for the youth, taking part as a mentor for The Big Brothers and Sisters of Pennsylvania. Pee Wee also achieved success as a leader. He enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania making the Dean’s List for consecutive years, became an elected Internal V.P. of the Pennsylvania’s Lifer’s Association, became a Developer of The Institutional Fundraising Project, held the position of the Director of the Journey-For-Change Organization (JFC), and in 2020, became a Professor of Legal Facilitating and Post Convictions Relief Act courses.

To highlight other accomplishments, Pee Wee competed in multiple Runathons and became a regional Powerlifting champion in the 132lb weight class. He placed first in his weight class with a bench press of 190lbs, a deadlift of 425lbs and a squat of 400lbs, contributing to both a DOTS and Wilks score of 400 placing him as a national level powerlifter.

Pee Wee is preceded in death by his parents: Earmon Jr. and Henrietta Beck; brothers: Arthur, Floyd, James and Robert; sisters: Jacqueline, Linda and Elizabeth; and nephew: Robert Lee Beck. Cherished in death, Pee Wee leaves to mourn his son, Charles Leonard; three brothers: Leslie, Paul and Calvin; four sisters: Dorothy, Joyce, Angela and Iris; and a Host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

Pee Wee's loss is deeply felt by his immense family and all of those who knew and loved him. He made friends everywhere and had a reputation for his integrity and his kind nature and was truly admired. His memory will live on and inspire strength, resilience, and generosity in those whose lives he’s touched.

Friends received WEDNESDAY, November 20, 2024 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. at TIMOTHY K. SLATER Funeral Services, Inc. (412-381-3337) 425 Brownsville Road, Mt. Oliver, 15210, where a Celebration of Life and Homegoing service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, PA,with full military honors, immediately following at 1:00 p.m.

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