Gary Cyril Beck

Gary Cyril Beck D.D.S (85 years old) passed peacefully, in his Rancho Cucamonga, CA home on August 2, 2024. The end of Gary’s life was exactly how he would have wanted it… surrounded by his wife (Judy Beck) and his 6 children (David Beck, Robert Beck, Jason Beck, Melissa Garcia, Jessica Hess, and Jim Beck). Additionally, Gary is survived by friends, dental colleagues, dental patients, and family including: 3 siblings, 26 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 2 more expected.

Gary was born on August 7,1938 in Los Angeles to Evelyn (Mortenson) Beck and Cyril Beck. He was the oldest of 5 children. He Graduated from John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, June 1956. During his high school years, he was thrilled to have made the basketball team and loved playing basketball for three years. Gary often stated if he was one foot taller, he would have been a professional basketball player. Since he didn’t miraculously grow an additional foot taller, he decided to become a dentist. In 1960 he was accepted into the University of Southern California (USC) Dental School. At that same time, he was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the South Australia Mission. Because of his great faith, he chose to serve his mission (1960-1962). Surprisingly, USC Dental School held his spot for the two years while he served.

While in dental school, in June of 1964, Gary married Judith M. Baker in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June of 1966, he graduated from USC Dental School. At this same time, the United States was at war with Vietnam, he opted to serve his country by joining the U.S Army, receiving commission of a Captain and being stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He served there for two years while practicing dentistry in the army. Following his successful discharge from the Army, Gary and his family returned to Huntington Beach, California. He managed a Dental Office in Buena Park for 10 Years. In July of 1980, he started his own dental practice in Upland, California: Beck Dental. As a dentist in the community, He was generous with his time and talents to bless the lives of his patients and his dental colleagues. The practice continues forward to this day, as a family dental practice. 

Gary and his wife Judy have spent their lifetime in church service. In addition to serving in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was called to be a Bishop for the Hillside Ward, Upland Stake, March 1986. On June 28, 1987 he was called to serve in the Stake Presidency of the newly organized Rancho Cucamonga Stake, with Steve Escher and John Cottom. They served together for nine years; he loved these men. In 2014, he and his wife were called to serve in the Redlands Temple for their church. On August 9, 2016, they were called to serve as missionaries for their church, assigned to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple as temple missionaries. They served in Nauvoo from March 2017 to February 2018.

When Gary was not working or serving in his church, he could be found spending time with his family and friends. He had many hobbies over the years. He owned and learned how to pilot an airplane. He loved his horse “Ace” and enjoyed riding horses with his family and friends. When he wasn’t playing golf with his sons and grandsons, he enjoyed riding motorcycles with them in the high desert of Southern California. Later on in his life he decided he wanted to learn how to play jazz music on the piano. After taking lessons, he could be found at most any piano playing background music at family events, church dinners and wedding receptions.

While he will be dearly missed, Gary and his family have a deep faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. As part of their faith, they believe that their family will be reunited as an eternal family, beyond this life. His faith was best demonstrated by the way he loved God and how he served people. His life was full of selfless sacrifice to his family, friends, and the community.