LOUIS B. BECK died on Monday, August 5, 2024 after a brief illness. Born June 8, 1931 in Little Rock, he attended St. Andrew’s School and the Catholic High School for Boys. In 1953 he graduated with a BFA from Notre Dame, where his talent as a painter was recognized and he won several student competitions, including the prestigious Jacque Award for outstanding senior work. His painting career was interrupted by military service in the Air Force, where he was a pilot and reached the rank of captain. In 1955 he married Lottie Cobb (who preceded him in death in 2010) and together they had three sons. He resumed painting around 1960 and for several decades thereafter entered his work in local competitions and won several awards. First working for Southern Paper Box, he was later employed by Tate Container. In 1994 he founded St. Jude Packaging and, using painting as a hobby, amassed a large body of paintings. In 2010 he opened the L and L Art Gallery, the second L standing for his late wife who was his best critic. In addition to exhibiting and selling his artwork, he began teaching art classes for adults and made many wonderful friendships, as well as discovering some hidden talents. He leaves behind his sons, Dr. Joseph Beck (Ronnie Stone), Louis Reginald Beck (Sissy), and Patrick Beck (Kathy). He was very close to his grandchildren Morgan, Nicholas, Daniel, Zachary, and Shannon, and looked forward to news of his great-grandchildren Emma, ​​Bennett, Asher, and Jude. A fifth great-grandchild, Becks, will be born shortly. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Carmelite Monastery, 7201 W. 32nd Street. Memorials to his memory may be made at the Carmelite Monastery, where he received Communion daily.

Published August 11, 2024