John Davis Locke
John was born on 14 June 1936 in Richmond, (Little River County) AR. He was born to Mary Kate Davis Beck and Walker Beck. Mary Kate didn’t survive his birth. The very young dad was unable to raise a newborn, so Will Matt and Cora Davis Locke eagerly adopted him and gave him a wonderful home and life.
His earlier education was spent in the Texarkana AR ISD where his father was Superintendent of Schools and his mother taught several generations of second graders. You can imagine the challenges this presented! After graduation, he attended Texarkana College, University of Arkansas and graduated from Texas A&M.
Walker later remarried and gave John a dear brother, Greg Beck, who resides in Germany with his wife, Angelika.
He lived his entire life in Texarkana except for his time in Vietnam and Korea. Their two children were born there.
He was a member of Sugar Hill UMC, Texarkana R/C Flying Club, America Model Association, Friends of the Library, Alzheimer’s Association and Literacy Council. The family enjoyed many trips around the world to play, camp, fish, and explore. He taught flying and teaching flying for many years and was Texarkana’s first Instrument Instructor Pilot.
He is survived by wife, Mary Jayne, with whom he enjoyed 51+ years of adventures and challenges. Also, he is survived by daughter, Katie Dean, sonin-law, Jeff Dean and adored grandchildren Ayla, Eva, and Christian all of Texarkana. Son, Matthew Powell Locke, of AZ also survives. North Carolina grands include Gage, Conner, Jasey, Brayden and Chance and their mother, Heather. He is also survived by beloved cousin, Billie Locke Culver, whom he held near and dear. He also enjoyed sharing is life with numerous aunts, cousins and friends.
John retired from RRAD as a production engineer and one of its last pilots and production engineers and held many good memories and friends from his federal employment days.
After retirement from ‘big planes’, he enjoyed designing and building radio controlled planes. Later, he diversified and designed and built model trains and has quite a little train village.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8pm Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at the funeral home.
Memorial service will be 1pm Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at East Memorial Chapel with Dr. Greg Burks officiating.
Cremation is under the direction of East Funeral HomeMoores Lane.
In lieu of flowers the family suggesting donations to Sugar Hill United Methodist Church, Domestic Violence Prevention, Alzheimer’s’ Alliance, of Texarkana R/C Club, if the donor so desires.
The family gives special thanks to DaVita and its excellent staff, Drs Lee, Stephens, A. Payne, and Melton, and Christus St Michael Hospital.
Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.