The good Lord saw fit that after a 20 year struggle with cancer, our Skipper should come home. Our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle died at home surrounded by family on Saturday, November 26, 2011. Skip was born on April 7, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved to Yuma, Arizona at the age of two, residing at the old Yuma Auto Court which stood where Imperial Hardware was located for many years. He graduated from Kofa High School in 1967 and attended Arizona Western College. He went to work for The Tanner Companies and shortly after joined the United States Marine Corps and saw action in the Vietnam War. He returned from war in 1971 and went back to work for The Tanner Companies as a cement mixer driver. In January, 1972 his mother, Lena Rossetti Beecher, introduced him to Lucy who worked with her at the Salvation Army store and within four months, they were married and continued that bond for over 39 years. Skip was the proud father of his only child, Lena Nicole Beecher and grandpa/tata to Wyatt Ramon Jones. In 2005, he retired and began work with BLT Construction. His current position was with Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital as a Maintenance Supervisor. Service to his community was an important part of Skip's life. He was a lifetime member of the Yuma Jaycees and helped with many Silver Spur Rodeos, parades, bingos and highway safety stops. He was involved with the Arizona Contractors Association serving as State Chair and sat on the board of directors. Skip was a current commissioner for the Yuma County Fair Board and was twice President of the Board. He was a current member of the Yuma County Planning and Zoning Commission for District One. Skip loved helping his family, neighbors, friends and always tried to serve others before himself. He is survived by his wife, Lucy, daughter, Lena, grandson, Wyatt, brother, Kerry (Eileen) Beecher, sister, Beth (David) Kirkpatrick, nephews, James Beecher, Jared Hardy, niece, Kaleen (George) Drake and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Francis Beecher, mother, Lena Mary Rossetti Beecher and sister, Kathleen Houtz. Memorial services will be officiated by good friend, Bishop Craig Colvin, on Friday, December 2, 2011 at Johnson Mortuary beginning at noon. Burial of cremains will follow. Donations in his name may be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the Arizona Cancer Center. Kenneth "Skip" Beecher lived a full and vibrant life and although we his family feel it was too short, we also know that we will one day see each other again and continue our journey together in joy and love. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.