Shelley M Beckstrand, age 89, of Woodlawn, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. He was born on Tuesday, May 11, 1937 in San Jose, California, to Vernard and Ethel (nee Martin) Beckstrand.

He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After returning from a mission to Uruguay, he met and married Judith Anne White in the Los Angeles Temple on Saturday, September 2, 1961. Over time, eight children were added to the family, both naturally and through adoption.

Shelley received a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in Industrial Engineering in 1963 and a Juris Doctorate in 1968 from American University in Washington, D.C. He spent his career working for IBM as a patent attorney in San Jose, California and as counsel, intellectual property law, in Endicott, New York.

He was active in the church, serving as bishop in California, stake president in New York, and Area Family History Advisor and Service Missionary in Virginia. He was also active in the community, serving on the Evergreen District School Board (San Jose, California), as treasurer of the Owego (New York) Bi-Centennial Commission, as vice-president of the Central New York Patent Law Association, and as President of the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his work with scouting. Additional interests included music (particularly opera), birding, scouting and, most particularly, genealogical research.

Living in several different areas of our beautiful country allowed his influence to be felt by many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include:

Daughter – Rebecca K. (Wayne) Whitaker - Wellington, Florida

Daughter – Louise D. Hiatt – Woodlawn, Virginia

Son – Scott V. (Tamara) Beckstrand – Springfield, Virginia

Son – Benjamin F. (Rhonda) Beckstrand – La Pine, Oregon

Son – Richard K. (Deena) Beckstrand – Lindon, Utah

Daughter – Holly A. Beckstrand – Galax, Virginia

Brother – Kraig (Diane) Beckstrand – Panaca, Nevada

26 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins

He was preceded in death by:

Father – Vernard L. Beckstrand – died 9 March 1994

Mother – Ethel L. Martin Beckstrand – died 14 November 1984

Wife – Judith A. White Beckstrand – died 4 November 2022

Brother – Thane M Beckstrand – died 23 June 2025

Son – George C. Beckstrand – died 16 October 2018

Daughter – Ida M. King – died 28 February 2020

Daughter-in-law – Naomi Beckstrand – died 13 December 2020

Son-in-law – Jesse E. Hiatt – died 16 June 2025

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at noon at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints on 162 Temple Lane, Mount Airy, North Carolina, followed by a funeral service at 1 PM. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.