James "Digger" Beckwith

James "Digger" Beckwith, age 71, of Spearfish, formerly of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
James "Digger" Beckwith was born on October 2, 1947 to Louie and Alice Beckwith in Philip, South Dakota. He was raised on the Beckwith Ranch west of Kadoka and southeast of Interior in the Badlands. There he attended grade school 1st-8th grade and graduated from Kadoka High School in 1966. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. After school he moved back to Kadoka and worked for Hogen’s Hardware.
He later was married, moved to Pierre, and worked for Titze Electric in 1974. Soon after that he moved to Spearfish for a better opportunity. He started working for Energy Electric in Sundance, Wyoming in 1979. In 1981 he hired on with Spearfish Electric and in 1993 began working for Muth Electric as a manager. He stayed with Muth until he retired.
Digger was an avid lover of cars. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and the color blue. He doted on all of his grandchildren. He always remembered their birthdays and always took great care in selecting the perfect gift for each of them every year.
He loved spending hours on the phone catching up with friends and family. He also would drive around no matter what the weather, and check in on his family and loved ones. He was very proud of all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
From his marriage he had three wonderful children: Brian (Kelly) Beckwith, West Bend, WI, Sheldon Beckwith, Sturgis, SD, and Megan E. Beckwith-Temple (Jade), Sturgis, SD. He is survived by all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Victoria, Tristan, Natalie, (Brian) Austin, Dominic, Sebastian (Sheldon), Brielle, Braden, Chase, (Megan); great-grandchildren: Sequoia, (Victoria), Beau, and Carson (Austin). He also is survived by two brothers: Larry Beckwith of Rapid City and Ed Beckwith of Kadoka.
He was preceded in death by his father Louie, mother Alice, and sister-in-law Mary.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka with Ken Toews officiating.
Interment will be at the Kadoka Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.