David H. Beckler: Obituary

Mr. David H. Beckler, age 80 of Ducktown, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in Chattanooga, TN. David was born April 7, 1938 in Ducktown, TN to the late Daniel Herbert Beckler and the late Claudia McAllister Hall Beckler. A member of the First United Methodist Church in Copperhill, TN, he was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Roberta Jean (“Bobbie Jean”) Reagan Beckler of Danville, Arkansas.

David was a nearly life-long resident of Ducktown. He graduated from Ducktown High School in 1956 and went on to earn both bachelors and masters degrees in Education. Always up for an adventure, he began his teaching career in Hampton, Virginia, then joined the newly-formed Peace Corps where he taught in Lemery, Batangas, Republic of the Philippines. While there, he met his wife, and they lived out the rest of their years together in Ducktown. David taught and worked in the Polk County School System from 1967 to 2000, serving as both a teacher of biology and Director of Instruction for Polk County Board of Education. He returned to his beloved Ducktown to teach until he retired to take full-time care of his mother.

David’s enthusiasm for Ducktown, the Copper Basin, and its future never waned. He was a founder of the Ducktown Basin Museum and created the popular 4th of July Walking Parade for children. He was active in the community serving numerous organizations over the years, and enjoyed anything having to do with nature, the arts, and promotion of the Copper Basin.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Lindsay Beckler, his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Ann and P.L. “Judge” McWhorter, his niece, Sarah McWhorter, his nephew and wife, Dan and Candace McWhorter, his grand-niece and grand-nephew, Abigail and Nathaniel McWhorter, and a grandchild on the way.

A private internment service will be held Friday, June 15, with a public Celebration of Life memorial service to take place on Friday, June 29 at 2:00 PM. The celebration service will be held at the Ducktown Basin Museum’s Hoist House. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite 6, Chattanooga, TN, 37421 or alz.org/donate. The family wishes to thank the excellent staff at Alexian Brothers Valley Residence and Hearth Hospice for their loving care.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.