Mr. Bryce Beekman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Bryce A. Beekman, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana passed away in Pullman, Washington on March 23,2020 at the age of 22 years old. Bryce was a college student who completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences at Washington State University and was considering graduate school. He was an accomplished collegiate football player who was loved by his teammates and coaches. He was a dear friend who touched the lives of many people in Wisconsin, Louisiana, Arizona and Washington. And he was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin who will be forever missed by his family. Bryce is survived by his mother Julie Jackson and his younger brother Reece Beekman. He is also survived by his father Demetrius (Maria) Beekman. He leaves behind his grandparents, Tom and Carolyn Jackson and Ron and Girlee Beekman; his aunts and uncles, Jeffrey Jackson (Kirsten Dellinger), Chris (Laura) Jackson, Dimas Jackson, Adelaida Jackson, Sher-ree Beekman and Sherron Beekman; and 3 cousins: tillian Jackson, Benjamin Jackson and Alexander Bowling. Bryce Andre Beekman was born November 26, 1997 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Bryce's love for sports began at a very young age. From the time he could sit up on his own, he was already learning to catch and throw. In his toddler years, the movies Rudy and Free Willy were his obsession. Bryce may have been the only three-year-old that would get his little stool out, jump on it, and recite the coach's speech from Rudy while Free Willy led to his early career aspirations of being a dolphin trainer. Bryce began playing football at five years old with the Falcons in the Northwest Community Sports League. ·He was known to wake up at 4 AM on game days ready to play. By 3rd grade, Bryce began playing AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors and traveled nationally with teams through 11th grade, making life-long friends. He received numerous awards and honors in both sports. Bryce attended Starms Early Childhood Monumental for K3 & K4 and then attended Wauwatosa public schools for the majority of his education: Washington Elementary (K5-5), Longfellow Middle School (6-8), and Wauwatosa East High School (9-11), where he played both football and basketball and led the team to the sectional finals in his last game there. Bryce moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his mother and brother in August 2015. There he found a warm community of support, became a fan of Louisiana food, and thrived in the new environment athletically and academically. Bryce graduated from Scotlandville Magnet High in 2016, where he played both football and basketball. Bryce received several college scholarship offers to play football. Originally signing with Southern University, he transferred to Arizona Western College. At Arizona Western, Bryce's faith in God and athletic progress grew. While in Yuma, Bryce reconfirmed his Christian faith and was baptized again. In 2017 he was selected as National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 1st Teams Defensive All American, named to the NJCAA Football All-American team, and received NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week on February 25,2018. Bryce continued his football career joining the Washington State University Cougars, in Pullman, WA in January 2019. He realized his Division 1 football dreams by becoming a starting defensive back the entire season. Working closely with his professors and academic advisors, Bryce continued to succeed academically at Washington State, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences there in Spring 2020. Bryce had a smile that could light up any room and a personality that instantly made you want to be around him. He directly impacted the lives of so many people that he contacted with his kind sprit. He loved "his people" fiercely, and showed it every day, as a proud older brother or loving and appreciative son. Bryce died peacefully on March 23, 2020. There is no doubt he was met at heaven's gate by his beloved Granny (Lizzie Gill) and host of other relatives. A visitation took place in Baton Rouge on April 11. A Milwaukee visitation will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2020 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Northwest Funeral, 6630 W. Hampton Ave. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the family may not be present during the visitation. A private burial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family via the Bryce Beekman Memorial Fund at gofundme.com. A very special memorial celebration will take place in Milwaukee later this year. Bryce's family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support that we have received at this difficult time. It is a clear sign of all the lives that were touched by this remarkable young man who we love and miss dearly.

Mr. Bryce Beekman

November 26, 1997 - March 24, 2020