Earl Lee Beck, 83, of Sunnydell, died May 22, 2011 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center of kidney failure.

Earl was born November 25,1927 in Labelle, Idaho to Clarence Lee Beck and Elsie Pauline Miller. When Earl was three years old, his family moved to the Archer-Sunnydell area where he lived, farmed, raised his family and retired.

Earl served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Cimmaron. He was fortunate to see a lot of the world but always said he never saw anything as special to him as his home in Sunnydell.

Earl often remarked that one of the best days of his life was during a bitter Idaho blizzard when he was married to Rhea Jackson on Friday, January 13,1950. They enjoyed 61 happy years together.

A day of hard work was a good day for Earl. He was passionate about the land and his crops and truly loved his profession of farming. After retirement he put his talents to work helping Rhea with their beautiful garden and yard. He always said that a weed was an "endangered species" in his yard! He enjoyed sharing garden produce with family and friends.

Earl was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions. He especially enjoyed serving in the temple for many years.

Among many things, Earl will be missed for his gift of gab and sense of humor. He has never met a stranger and considered everyone a friend. He enjoyed telling and retelling his stories to everyone!

He is survived by his wife Rhea of Sunnydell, children, Brenda (Lane) Parry of Lander, Wyoming, Jerry (Sheryl) Beck of Sunnydell, Janet (Rob) Webster of Rexburg, Christy (Larry) Ricks of Los Alamitos, California; brothers Wayne (Roxie) Beck of Shelley, Von (Kaylyn) Beck of Idaho Falls; a sister Clea (John) Taylor of Palmdale, California; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Reva Young, brothers Merlin and Ralph Beck and grandson Steven Webster.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at the Sunnydell LDS Chapel, 201 West 8000 South, with Bishop Matthew Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the church and Thursday from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment with military honors will be at the Sutton Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.flammfh.com .