Charles David Beckenhauer

Charles David Beckenhauer, age 66, General Counsel for Baylor University, died at home after an extended battle with cancer. He passed away surrounded by his wife, Jaylie and other immediate family members. Funeral services will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 15, with Dr. Chris Freeland officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m., Friday at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 14, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas. Charlie Beckenhauer was born August 26, 1949, in Manhattan, Kansas, where he grew up the fifth of five children in a happy and loving home. In 1973, Charlie married Jaylie Longbotham in Monahans, Texas. Their daughter, Chandler Marie, continues to be the joy of their lives along with her husband, Jonathan Kurth, and sons, Benjamin Charles (7) and Logan James (4). Charlie graduated from Kansas State University before serving 22 years active duty in the United States Air Force, first as a weather officer and then as Judge Advocate General (JAG). In 1979, he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas and a Master of Laws in Labor Law from George Washington University in 1983. Service medals Charlie was awarded include: Meritorious Service with three oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Office of Secretary of National Defense Service with one bronze star. After retiring from the military, Charlie served Baylor University for 23 years in the Office of the General Counsel as Associate and then General Counsel to the University. He was famous for saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Professional associations included Texas State Bar, National Association of College & University Attorneys, and he belonged to both the Texas and Kansas State Bars. In addition to Baylor, Charlie enjoyed reading, working in the yard, cooking, and backyard bird watching. His favorite thing ever has been spending time with family and playing with his grandsons. Colonel (Ret.) Beckenhauer is preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaretha Beckenhauer; his parents-in-law, Dugan and Hazel Longbotham; and his niece Bernadette Vitt Graber. Survivors include his wife, Jaylie; daughter, Chandler and her husband, Jon; grandsons, Ben and Logan Kurth; sisters, Kayda (& Greg) Vitt and Rete (& Steve) Holland; brothers, Jim (& Peggy) Beckenhauer and Bob Beckenhauer; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (& Jim) Morris and Barbara Longbotham; nephews, Chris (& Michelle), Joe (& Kim), and David (& Davina) Vitt, Matt Lewis, Jeff Holland, Eric Beckenhauer, Gary (& Elaine) Graber, Thomas (& Jennifer) Morris, and Trey (& Becky) Longbotham; nieces, Monika Graber, Catherine Longbotham, and Jane (& Stan) Groom; great-nephews, Jeremy, Ryan, and Jordan Vitt, Andrew and Joshua (& Taylor) Graber; and great nieces, Amanda, Amy and Katelyn Vitt. Charlie requested his brothers, nephews and great-nephews be Honorary Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to the American Cancer Society and Baylor University Student Scholarship fund. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com