Raymond Beck III

Some people live life “full throttle and full speed ahead”, and Raymond Beck III was one of those people. Raymond (Ray as known by family and friends) was a spontaneous and fun-loving guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was passionate about racing, but he loved his wife, children, and parents more than anything.

Born on December 15, 1967 in Holland, Michigan to Raymond and Sharon Beck, Ray was the oldest child of four. His parents worked hard to raise Ray and his brothers and sisters. His father was a furniture maker by trade, while his mother stayed home to care for the children and run the household. Ray grew up on the south side of Holland at 1830 Vans Boulevard near Harrington Elementary School. These were turbulent and tumultuous times. Old ways and traditions were being replaced by radical changes and new ways of doing things. It was a fast-paced era and it fit young Ray’s personality perfectly. When Ray wasn’t in school, he could be found tearing around on his BMX bike with his friends. He loved building model cars and his favorite show was of course, “Dukes of Hazard”. From an early age, it was evident that Raymond loved racing and the vehicles needed for the sport. It was during this time that Ray would meet his future wife, however as most children cannot realize, Ray would not know until years later.

As Raymond grew older he extended his interests to include football and camping, however, his passion for bikes became a passion for cars, not only racing them, but working on them as well. As a teen he owned and worked on various vehicles including a green Gremlin, a red Chevy Nova and a green Olds Cutlass. These cars were his babies. Ray could often be found either in the garage or in the yard with his head under the hood listening to those 80’s hair band groups like RATT, POISON, and QUITE RIOT. While Raymond did enjoy some conventional camping at Gun Lake and Ottawa Beach with his family, his mom knew there was no holding Raymond down and finally would simply ask not be told of his racing endeavors.

There is an old story about the neighborhood kids and Ray putting a trampoline next to a garage to get more height per bounce. Funny thing was that the trampoline belonged to his future wife and his future mother –in-law would end up calling the police. When the police came, Raymond, who had attained the greatest height, was surprisingly the only one who didn’t get in trouble! Never one to back down from a challenge Ray would also jump off the Holland Lighthouse into the channel because of a dare!

After graduating from Holland High School in 1985, Ray reconnected with his old high school sweatheart , Christy Overway. After dating for a while they fell in love and became husband and wife. The man who thought of his cars as his “babies” became a father for real. Ray and Christy had two beautiful children together: Tyler Raymond and Reese Micheal. They also enjoyed raising Raymond IV who was Ray’s eldest son from a previous relationship. Ray supported the family working at different places, the most recent being R and S Salvage on Quincy in Holland.

On weekends Raymond could be found at Thunder Bird and Winston race ways for off dirt track racing. Tyler, and Reese accompanied by Christy and sometimes Raymond IV, enjoyed cheering on the side lines for their dad , but at times they were allowed the thrill of racing with him!

Sadly, Raymond’s heart began to give him trouble last April. He started to make some needed changes in his life. He stopped smoking and made some other changes for the better. Raymond had a chance in the last year to do what he loved the most. This past week he came in third, in a race at the Hudsonville Fair.

Raymond will be remembered as a fun-loving, generous man, living life to the fullest in the short time he was given. He was a faithful husband, loving father, and loyal friend, a man who would do anything for someone in need. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Raymond Edward Beck III of Zeeland twp. died Tuesday July 1, 2008 at his home.

His family includes: wife of 10 years Christy (Overway) Beck; children Raymond VI, Tyler Raymond , Reese Micheal, mother Sharon and Richard Bliss Sr. of Holland, father Raymond Eugene and Dottie Beck II of Muskegon; sisters and brothers Misty Beck, Heather and Jason Shawl, Richard Bliss Jr., Billy and Carrie Davis, Wendy Wyles, and Thomas Beck; Grandfather Lester L. Bliss Sr.; and several aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 6-9 Monday July 7, 2008 at The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home 295 Douglas Ave. Holland, MI.

Graveside services will be 2pm Thursday July 10, 2008 at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to The Beck Children’s Education fund in care of Macatawa Bank.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Raymond’s online registry, or share a photo.