Kenneth Jay Van Beek

In Loving Memory of Kenneth "Ken" Jay Van Beek

Our beloved brother, Kenneth Jay Van Beek, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 18, 2026.

Ken was born March 21,1958 in Elgin, Illinois. He was a believer in Christ and raised in a loving, God-fearing, Bible believing home. Faith and church were a pat of Ken's life from his earliest years. He attended church throughout his life and was baptized by immersion at Community of Faith church surrounded by family and friends.

Ken's childhood and school years took him from Illinois to Texas. He attended Peoria Christian School in Peoria, Illinois, Wheaton Christian Grammar School in Wheaton, Illinois, and Wheaton Academy in Wheaton, Illinois where he completed ninth and tenth grades. The family moved to Houston, Texas in 1973 and Ken completed high school at Spring High School, Spring, Texas.

During his high school years, Ken was affectionately known as "Beek". He enjoyed being involved in school activities and performed in the school play as King Henry VIII. Years later he also served on the reunion committee for his 20 year Spring High School reunion. When Ken’s classmates later recalled memories of Ken, many mentioned choir, dancing at Tin Hall & the VFW and simply enjoying life with their friend "Beek". Ken loved singing and participating in choirs throughout his life, including the choir at Cypress Bible Church.

Ken was an enthusiastic sportsman. He loved basketball, baseball and football and played many years of summer baseball leagues, middle school and high school basketball, baseball and football. He also loved playing a good game of golf as often as possible.

After graduating from Spring High School Ken attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1981.

Ken proudly served his country through the Texas Army National Guard from 1980 to 1995. He was Commissioned as Second Lieutenant and served with the 149th Personnel Service Company. During his military career, he served as a 49th Armored Division/GI/ AG Section Captain and later as a 49th Finance Battalion Captain and First Detachment Commander in Division finance support. After 14 years of service, Ken retired from the National Guard in 1995 with the rank of Captain.

Ken had a varied and hardworking career. During the summers of the 1970's, he worked alongside his brother Pete at Power Pack Auto. From 1986 to 1989, Ken and Pete operated their own business “Beek Brothers” providing home remodeling and construction activities. Ken also worked in real estate, becoming an associate broker with Red Carpet Real Estate and later established Van Beek Realtors.

His career then took him into the transportation and safety industries. From 1989 to 1990 he served as a branch manager for BFI of Memphis, followed by a position of safety manager for BFI of Atlanta from 1990 to 1993. From 1993 until 2010 Ken worked alongside his father as Vice President and Co-Owner of SACOM, Inc providing a variety of consulting services.

From 2010 to 2016 Ken worked for CGG Veritas as a crew transport driver and cargo transportation specialist. In 2016, he began working for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD as a school bus driver. From 2020 to 2024 he continued serving the district as a bus attendant until health challenges prevented him from continuing to work.

He had a particularly special heart for the children on his school bus route. He often talked about the little ones he transported to and from school and how much they brightened his day. Those who knew him could see how much he genuinely cared for them.

Ken also loved the outdoors. When his parents owned a home in Seadrift, Texas, Ken enjoyed taking friends and family on guided fishing excursions throughout Galveston Bay. He proudly went by the name “Captain Ken". Camping, hunting and fishing were among his favorite pastimes, and he enjoyed every opportunity he had to be outdoors.

Ken was a loyal sports fan and enthusiastically followed the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Houston Astros and NASCAR. He was a member of the Road Lizard BBQ Team which produced some trophy-winning barbecue. Ken loved a good laugh and especially enjoyed the comedic stories of Jerry Clower and the Ledbetter Family.

Some of Ken's most treasured memories were made with family. The annual Van Beek family reunions in Missouri brought plenty of stories and laughter, including golfing escapades, canoeing mishaps, and Ken’s famous Beer Butt Chicken - a dish that became legendary within the family and is still talked about today.

Ken was also a faithful steward, and gave generously whenever he was able. He supported organizations and ministries that were meaningful to him, including Cypress Bible Church, Cypress Community Christian School, Community of Faith Church, Habitat for Humanity, SPCA, MD Anderson Hospital, American Red Cross, Easter Seals, Cystic Fibrosis organization and Wheaton Academy.

Ken had a generous heart when it came to helping others. On more than one occasion, he opened his home to family members and friends who needed a temporary place to stay; he willingly opened his home again when another family needed temporary housing assistance. Ken did these things without expecting anything in return. Helping people was simply a part of who he was.

In early 2026, Ken sold his home, purchased an RV and established new roots in Magnolia, Texas. He was just beginning to make new friends with his neighbors and had started to attend Magnolia Cowboy Church. He was enjoying the slower pace of country living and looking forward to this new chapter of his life.

Ken remained an important part of his family's life. He frequently joined family gatherings and holidays and enjoyed watching his grand nephews' football games. On many occasions he was able to watch one of his dear friend's grand daughter, Emillie's soccer games. His presence, his stories and his easygoing personality brought something special to every gathering.

Ken was predeceased in death by his beloved parents, Gerald D. and Edith L. Van Beek. He is survived by his sister Pam Van Rieg and her husband John and their daughters, Jessica Gates and her husband, Rusty, and their sons, Oliver and Matthew; and Michelle Stanton and her husband Brett and their children, Hudson, Mason and Olivia. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Pete Van Beek and his wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Brittany, and her husband, Tony Martino.

Ken will also be deeply missed by his dear friends, Karen, Katie, Carlos and Emillie as well as his neighbors and close friends, Rachel and her son, Titus. Ken leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins along with countless friends from high school, college, the military and the many places his life took him.

Ken was a beloved son and brother, a loving uncle, great uncle and a cherished friend. He touched many lives simply by being himself. Those who knew Ken, knew that he was the most genuine, easy going and unforgettable character they would ever meet. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, welcomed and accepted. His kindness, humor and unique personality created memories that will stay with those who loved him for years to come.

Ken was loved by so many and is missed everyday. Although we were not ready to say goodbye, we are filled with thanksgiving knowing that Ken is Home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can picture Mom & Dad, along with other loved ones who have gone on before him, running to greet Ken as Jesus welcomes him Home.

We take comfort knowing that this is not goodbye forever - it is simply goodbye for now.

Rest peacefully in God's loving arms, brother. You are loved always and will never be forgotten.

We miss you everyday. You are forever in our hearts.

The King is Coming

The marketplace is empty

No more traffic in the streets

All the builders' tools are silent

No more time to harvest wheat

Busy housewives cease their labors

In the courtroom no debate

Work on earth is all suspended

As the King comes thro' the gate

O the King is coming

The King is coming

I just heard the trumpets sounding

And now His face I see O the King is coming

The King is coming Praise God,

 He's coming for me

Happy faces line the hallways

Those whose lives have been redeemed

Broken homes that He has mended

Those from prison He has freed

Little children and the aged

Hand in hand stand all aglow

Who were crippled, broken, ruined

Clad in garment white as snow

O the King is coming

The King is coming I just heard the trumpets sounding

And now His face I see O the King is coming

The King is coming

Praise God, He's coming for me

I can hear the chariots rumble

I can see the marching throng

The flurry of God's trumpets

Spells the end of sin and wrong

Regal robes are now unfolding

Heaven's grandstand's all in place

Heaven's choir now assembled

Start to sing "Amazing Grace"

O the King is coming

The King is coming

I just heard the trumpets sounding

And now His face I see

O the King is coming

The King is coming

Praise God, He's coming for me