The Legacy of Navy Veteran Nelson Beckett

Family, friends, and fellow veterans came together to honor the life of Nelson Beckett, a 90-year-old Navy veteran who tragically lost his life in a carjacking incident last month. The touching funeral service took place at the Southwest Church of Christ in Houston, where Beckett was celebrated for his lifelong commitment to serving both his community and his country.

Known affectionately as “Pop Pop” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Beckett was described as a beacon of light by his loved ones. His grandson-in-law, Jordan Bunch, spoke of Beckett’s profound impact, stating, “Nelson was a light on a hill. He knew his role as a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was the most valuable gift he could give the world.”

Despite his age, Beckett remained active in helping others, often giving homeless friends rides to appointments and reaching out to those in need. His daughter, Tami Freund, reflected on his compassionate nature, sharing, “He wanted to understand what made you who you are. This quality made him a great salesman, it also made him a great elder…there was never a day in which I didn’t know I was loved [by him].”

Even strangers felt compelled to pay their respects to Beckett, highlighting the impact he had on those around him. Alex Mitchell of Southeast Texas Patriot Guard Riders expressed, “It shows the family that somebody cares and one thing about veterans, we stick together. It’s horrible for something like that to happen to a guy that is 90 years old, a military veteran.”

The funeral concluded with a poignant 21-gun military salute at Beckett’s gravesite, honoring his service and sacrifice. The man responsible for Beckett’s tragic death, 21-year-old Kyliel Arceneaux, faces charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery. Despite the pain of losing Beckett, his family finds solace in the outpouring of support and love from the community.