Raymond G. Beck, Jr., 89, former co-publisher and editor of the Big Timber Pioneer, died October 2, 2001. He was born March 13, 1912 in Eureka, Utah, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Beck, Sr. He attended schools in Montpelier, Idaho and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1930. He took an extension course in journalism from the University of Idaho in Moscow and worked on a number of newspapers in Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and California. He established a newspaper of his own in Bear Lake County, Idaho, but soon found he could make more money much easier working for someone else during the depression years of the thirties. Ray, his son Dale and his brother Monte came to Montana in the spring of 1939. They came to Big Timber from Hardin with J.D. Holmes of Sheridan, Wyoming, who had purchased the old Sweet Grass News. A year later Ray took employment at the Big Timber Pioneer, then owned by Jerome and Grace Williams. In the fall of 1941 he moved to Harlowton, where he was employed at the Harlowton Times, until the following spring where he gained employment at the Livingston Enterprise. 

In 1944 he came back to Big Timber in a partnership arrangement with Mrs. Williams at the Big  Timber Pioneer. A few months later she sold the Pioneer to Ray. Later he entered a partnership with his brother, Monte, who had recently been released from an Army hospital. Ray sold his interest in the Pioneer to Monte in 1967. He enjoyed his retirement in Big Timber since that time. He was married August 1, 1942 in Livingston to Ruth E. Bright. They were divorced in 1967. He attended the Big Timber Lutheran Church and sang in the church's choir for over 30 years. He also served two terms as president of that congregation. He is survived by daughters, Mrs. Hal (Jane Ann) Lee of Hartselle, Alabama and Mrs. Mike (Barbara) Simonds of Tooele, Utah; good friends, Wilma Elgen and John Goosey of Big Timber; 12 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. A son, Dale, and a grandson, Jon, preceded him in death. At his request no funeral or memorial services will be held. Cremation has taken place, with interment beside a son, Richard Dale, and grandson, Jon Beck, in Silver Star, Montana.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbie of Tidewater, Oregon where they lived; Bobbie's daughter, Cindy (Andy) and granddaughter Bryana of Tucson, Arizona; Bobbie's son, Marty (Heidi) of Tidewater, Oregon; father-in-law, Frank Tomsic of Helper, Utah; his mother, Vivian of Big Timber; brothers, John (Diane), Carl (Jeanette) and Randy, all of Big Timber; sisters, Carol (Spencer) Jarrett and Marilyn (Jim) Zabrocici, both of Miles City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1989. A memorial service was held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Pastor Jim Holmlund officiated. Leslie Schiele was the organist. Memorials may be directed to the Big Timber Lutheran Church or the charity of choice.