Dr. Ronald Vance Beck

Dr. Ronald Vance Beck, 83 of Smiths Station, AL passed away Friday, August 11, 2023 at his home.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm EST at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL.  A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Dr. Beck was born December 16, 1939 in Troy, AL, son of the late Dr. Chester K. Beck and Francis Lemay Beck.  He was a Baptist by faith from early childhood.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jere Lemay Beck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jo Ann Ware Beck of Smiths Station, AL; a daughter, Beth Beck Adams and husband Ricky of Smiths Station, AL; a son, Vance Beck and wife Kim of Phenix City, AL; a brother, Chester Keith Beck, Jr.; grandchildren, Carley Gray (Harris), Trey Beck (Samantha), James Beck and Nick Adams; a great-grandchild, Lainey Jane Beck; extended family and friends.

Dr. Beck was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Troy High School in 1957. During his high school track and field career, he held numerous local and state records. In his collegiate career at Troy University, he held multiple track and field records that stood for many years well in the 1980’s.  In his senior year at Troy, he won most outstanding senior athlete and was awarded the Kilpatrick Trophy. He was a member of the Letterman Club in high school and college and was a lifetime member of the T Club. Upon completion of his degree at Troy, he attended and graduated medical school with honors at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1965.  While Chief Resident at Lloyd Noland hospital during his last year of residency, he won first prize in an Essay contest, that was sponsored statewide by the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Surgeons “Choriocarcinoma” was based on recent cases in which he was directly involved in management. He fulfilled his military obligation in the National Guard.

Upon completion of his medical degree and career in Birmingham, he moved to Phenix City in 1969 and opened a private practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was on the staff at Cobb Memorial Hospital, St. Francis, Doctors Hospital, the Medical Center, and Edge Memorial Hospital in Troy serving as Chief of Staff at several of the hospitals. During his fifty plus year career, he delivered more than 5,000 babies including several generations of families. He kept meticulous records on every baby he delivered. In 1975, he was elected Alabama Business Women’s Association’s Boss of the Year.

He was an avid Troy University football fan and season ticket holder for many years attending the games with family and friends.  In his younger days, he attended many University of Alabama football games both at home and away. Due to his commitment to his profession, vacation time was limited.  He enjoyed traveling to the Florida Keys for spring break for 40 plus years and teaching both his children and grandchildren to fish. He and his wife JoAnn were avid scuba divers and traveled extensively diving. In the summers, they enjoyed many vacations in their motor home traveling to 48 states including Alaska and Hawaii. He was a devoted family man and enjoyed going to every game his four grandchildren played in all of their sports and keeping track of their stats. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity, any local animal shelter or Oakdale Christian Academy, 5801 Beattyville Rd Jackson, KY 41339.