James "Digger" Beckwith

of Spearfish, formerly of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 29, 2018
at the Rapid City Regional Hospital at the age of 71

James "Digger" Beckwith was born on October 2, 1947 to Louie and Alice Beckwith in Philip, South Dakota. He was raised on the Beckwith Ranch west of Kadoka and southeast of Interior in the Badlands. There he attended grade school 1st-8th grade and graduated from Kadoka High School in 1966. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. After school he moved back to Kadoka and worked for Hogen’s Hardware.

He later was married, moved to Pierre, and worked for Titze Electric in 1974. Soon after that he moved to Spearfish for a better opportunity. He started working for Energy Electric in Sundance, Wyoming in 1979. In 1981 he hired on with Spearfish Electric and in 1993 began working for Muth Electric as a manager. He stayed with Muth until he retired.

Digger was an avid lover of cars. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and the color blue. He doted on all of his grandchildren. He always remembered their birthdays and always took great care in selecting the perfect gift for each of them every year.

He loved spending hours on the phone catching up with friends and family. He also would drive around no matter what the weather, and check in on his family and loved ones. He was very proud of all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

From his marriage he had three wonderful children: Brian (Kelly) Beckwith, West Bend, WI, Sheldon Beckwith, Sturgis, SD, and Megan E. Beckwith-Temple (Jade), Sturgis, SD. He is survived by all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Victoria, Tristan, Natalie, (Brian) Austin, Dominic, Sebastian (Sheldon), Brielle, Braden, Chase, (Megan); great-grandchildren: Sequoia, (Victoria), Beau, and Carson (Austin). He also is survived by two brothers: Larry Beckwith of Rapid City and Ed Beckwith of Kadoka.

He was preceded in death by his father Louie, mother Alice, and sister-in-law Mary.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka with Ken Toews officiating.

Interment will be at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Service Details

Funeral Service
Friday, December 7, 2018 - 2:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Officiating
Ken Toews

Music
Karen Toews - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
"Precious Lord Take My Hand"
John Kaiser - Special Music
"Just a Closer Walk With Thee"
"Jesus Loves Me"

Ushers
Jerry Stout - Jerry Grimes

Pallbearers
Mike Leibel - Lonnie Piper - Mike Kyte, Sr.
Royal Elwood - Dale Peterson - Tom Grimes

Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Interment
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Guest Book

Brian, Sheldon, and Megan, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May you find peace in the love that surrounds you.
   ~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Martin, SD (12/2/2018)
Together our families survived the 'Winter of '49' down in those Badlands. You raised a terrific Family of your own & we have enjoyed your annual photos & stories filled with love. Prayers ride with you, Digger, as you now travel to Heaven Above...& we will meet up with you again one day down the road.
   ~ Mike & Judy Tampa (12/3/2018)
Altho we grew apart later... Growing up and thru highschool we were very close friends and had many escapades in his beloved 46 or thereabouts plymouth coupe with its 6 banger and tree on the tree...and later his superbee and my roadrunner....I could write a book about our times together. .. it's amazing that we lived thru it......whatever Digger decided to love he loved deeply.... I'm so glad that not long before he died he stopped at my house in Interior and had a great visit....I had not seen him for many many years....it was great visiting with him... the same sweet guy that I knew from years before.....very proud of his family ....Digger was my friend and left me with many great memories......RIP my Friend...see you down the road
   ~ Greg Barber Interior, SD (4/27/2022)
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Diggers family.
   ~ Wynn Craven Buckner Burnsville, North Carolina (12/4/2018)
Dear Family of "Digger" I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your Dad/Grandpa/Brother.
He was a good guy and will be missed by us all who knew him. So sorry to know his last month here was so hard.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
   ~ Nancy McGinnis Spearfish,SD (12/3/2018)
Rest in peace, Grandpa. We love you. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren.
Love, Victoria, Dustin, and Sequoia
   ~ Victoria Beckwith Frisco, Colorado (12/2/2018)
Sympathy and prayers to Digger's family and friends.
   ~ Donna Bodkin Craven Rapid City, SD (12/2/2018)

Flowers

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Mike and Lynn Leibel and Family
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The Bonomo's, Ellie, and Shannon
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Jason and Jessie Pacheco
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Terry and Judy
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Larry Beckwith Family
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Gary and Margaret Nicholson and Nick and Susan Nicholson
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Friends and classmates from the Class of '66
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Jim and Brooks Temple and Sue Heard
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Martin Rock
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