Leonard Leroy Beckett, 74, of Scott City died Monday, April 5, 2004, at the home of a daughter in Scott City.

He was born Feb. 10, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, son of John L. and Clemia A. Brown Beckett. He and Donna Marie Rhodes were married in 1959 in Cape Girardeau. She died Nov. 3, 1978.

Beckett was a custodian at VIP Industries in Cape Girardeau, and was supervisor over the state of Missouri rest areas north of Fruitland. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Scott City, and Eagles Aerie 3775 in Cape Girardeau.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from May 1954 to November 1957, and received the National Defense Service Medal-Air Crew Member Badge. He then served in the Air Force Reserve until May 1962.

Survivors include a son, Johnny Beckett of Texas; three daughters, Patricia Barberis of Dutchtown, Katherine Sadler of Texas, Becky Seabaugh of Scott City; a brother, Billy Beckett of Cape Girardeau; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, two daughters and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Terry Eades officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.