Dr. John Beckwith, Sr.

Dr. John E. Beckwith Sr.

Mr. John E. Beckwith Sr. was born on August 27, 1942, in Gilbert, Louisiana. Many who know him say that he was born with the desire and dream of owning a funeral home and helping others. Mr. Beckwith began his destiny in the funeral business at the early age of 14. Living in a rural area in Louisiana was not a hindrance for Mr. Beckwith, he was so determined that he would walk several miles and hitchhike to local funeral homes to learn the business. With the help of friends and local funeral home owners in Louisiana, he began as a Carwash Attendant and Ambulance Driver. Because of his passion, desire and hard work, he was promoted to General Manager. Mr. Beckwith not only had a desire and dream of owning a funeral home, but he was also an advocate of Civil Rights while in Louisiana. In this struggle for freedom and equal rights, Mr. Beckwith lost many friends. His dream of owning a funeral home intensified with his friends' loss in the Civil Rights struggle. Mr. Beckwith realized why the passion and desire of owning a funeral home was so deeply rooted in his spirit; it was his destiny to provide families with quality and affordable funeral services.

His desires, passions and dreams led him to Dallas, TX, where he met and married the missing piece to assist him in achieving his destiny, his soul mate and helpmate “Allene Zachery.” In Dallas, Mr. Beckwith continued his quest of achieving his destiny by working for local funeral homes, Red Ball Motor Freight, and as an Insurance Agent, while along with his wife raising their five children. On September 15, 1980, all of Mr. Beckwith’s hard work came to pass, his destiny was fulfilled in Waxahachie, TX where he established Golden Gate Funeral Home. Mr. Beckwith’s dream was to own a funeral home, but God’s plans were greater than his. With the Grace and Blessings of God, Mr. Beckwith opened a second location in Dallas, TX in 1985, known today as the corporate location and a third location in Lancaster, TX in 1999. Humbly serving over two thousand families annually has earned Mr. Beckwith the privilege of owning and operating the number one African American Funeral Home in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Mr. Beckwith was extremely proud and honored when God again extended his favor to him and blessed him with a funeral home in his home state of Louisiana. Beckwith Golden Gate Funeral Home was established in Tallulah, LA on July 19, 2001, and is one of the fastest-growing African American Funeral Homes in North Louisiana. His cup runneth over with the newest addition of Golden Gate Funeral Home and Cremation, established in August 2010 in Ft. Worth, Texas. His spirit rejoices to know his legacy continues with Golden Gate North in Richardson, Texas. Mr. Beckwith worked very closely with the clergy in the community by donating his time and finances. He had a passionate belief in mentoring and helping others. He has opened his home and business to many and has taken them in as his own. Many prominent pastors, ministers, business owners and productive citizens recognize Mr. Beckwith as their mentor. Mr. Beckwith has been bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dallas/ Ft. Worth Bible Institute and Seminary. He served as an Honorary Deputy Constable in Dallas County, Precinct One and is credited with starting the Security Ministry at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, TX, where he continued to serve faithfully. Mr. Beckwith was honored as the 2012 Professional of the Year by the Independent Funeral Directors Association of Texas, Inc. He has received numerous awards and honors over the years in both Louisiana and Texas for his selfless spirit and dedication.