Zan Lyle Beckstead was born Mar 30, 1934 in Preston, Idaho. He was the third of six children to Zan Moroni and Kathryn Pickett Beckstead. He attended Preston High School and served an LDS mission in Mexico. He married Elaine LeSueur in the Mesa, Arizona temple on January 27, 1966.
After attending BYU, Zan moved to Los Angeles and began work with the California Association of Realtors. He and Elaine lived in Los Angeles, CA, Honolulu, HI, North Hollywood, CA, Chatsworth, CA, Roseville, CA, and Gilbert, AZ. Zan was a proud and devoted father of five children—Barbara, Beverly, Robert, Brenda and Brian, and a loving grandfather to his fourteen grandchildren.
He loved this country, was a true patriot, and served honorably in the Army Reserve for several years. He filled his home and office with his collections of bald eagle statues, flags, and other Americana. He was proud to have corresponded with and met Ronald Reagan along with other presidents and politicians while serving as a lobbyist in Sacramento, as the Executive Vice President of the California Mortgage Bankers Association. He had tremendous respect for the Boy Scouts of America and compiled hundreds of special Eagle Scout books to commemorate the achievement of any boy he knew who achieved Eagle Scout.
In his spare time he loved washing cars, watering plants or flowers, keeping the lawns mowed and green and “running errands.” His hobbies included woodworking projects and restoring things around the house. He was a loyal Home Depot customer going several times a week. He enjoyed serving others and would strike up a conversation with anyone about almost anything. He was curious and liked talking about politics, his faith, sports, movies or stats of any kind. He was never one to pass up a good bargain, a good laugh, or a good sneeze. He loved photography, especially capturing the moments and memories of family and friends.
He enjoyed reading the newspaper and was so thoughtful in sharing articles with his children and anyone he cared about. He was a great neighbor and served faithfully in numerous roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was especially devoted to the families put in his care as a Home Teacher. It was important to him to check in or visit old friends or relatives and he made great efforts to keep in touch and encouraged his children to do the same. He had bragging rights of never missing a day of work due to an illness. He enjoyed visiting residential and commercial sites as they were being built, watching action movies and eating junk food, especially licorice and Pepsi. He never once fell asleep or snored loudly in church, in a movie, or while watching TV.
He made the most of his life, never complained, and was always proud to be a father, husband, an American and a Mormon. His faith and his family were always his first priority. He was dependable and always there for his kids and was a man of his word. e was and will always be a great man to those whose lives he touched. His life can be
summed up in his favorite quote: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. We will miss you so much Fritz!
We wish you and your family peace. Hugs, kisses and prayers! He sounded like a terrific father!
Rest in peace uncle Zan. Until we meet again and always in my heart.
While I only had the honor of knowing Zan for a short period of time, it was still a blessing and an honor. I already miss him and know that feeling will grow in the days ahead.
May Peace be with you Zan and with all his family.
We are sorry to hear of Zan’s passing. He was a great neighbor and friend when we lived in Roseville, California. We love the Beckstead family. Our thoughts and prayers for comfort at this time is offered for his wife, Elaine, and children.
Our condolences to our friend Barbara, Trevor, Katlynn and family. I believe your dad is definetly with our heavenly father. Sincerely, Jack and Cindy.
So sorry for the loss of your Dad, he sounded like a good guy.
He sounded like a great man. My condolences to the family and Barb.
Dear Barb and family,
He truly sounds like an extraordinary man.
I am sending my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
I pray that your happy memories bring you some peace during this time.
After the loss of my father, it took time.
Now I feel a sense of peace and strength, knowing he is with me in everything I do.
With caring thoughts,
Robin
I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful father. His legacy of love of God, family, country & his value of hard work is easily seen in his son, Brian & his wife Cate & their family. It is obvious that he did his very best while here on earth & is shining down his love as he rests with his heavenly father.
Dear Elaine, I worked with your dear husband at Home Savings and Loan many years ago. We were good friends but I wasn’t a member at that time. I did however always feel his warm spirit and love of his faith. Over the years I have wanted to find him and tell him of the blessings in my life since my baptism in 1992. His example was important to me. I lost my husband in 2006 but we were sealed for time and all eternity. I am happy to see that Zan had a loving wife and children. God bless you
For some reason today Zan’s name popped into my mind and I wondered where he was. The last I knew he was still working for CMBA. I knew Zan when was the head of the Ca. Assoc. of REALTORS and then stepped into the role of President of Realty Register for several years. A new realty franchise started by a number of prominent LA based brokers. He was a fine and gentle MAN, I always had great respect for him and am saddened to read he has left us. He led an exemplary life and had quite the legacy of family. Until we meet again Zan, RIP.