BARTONVILLE, Ill. — Oak Grove School, is full of signs that Gerald Beckette is a beloved and special man.
Mr. Beckette is the owner of the sole crossing-guard badge issued by the local police department. He wears it proudly on his fluorescent yellow vest.
Students, parents and teachers alike greet the 85-year-old Mr. Beckette as he arrives to work for the final time.
Unlike his usual day at work, Mr. Beckette was escorted to his cross-walk by a firetruck and a parade of admirers celebrating the city-sanctioned “Gerald Beckette Day”.
“He’s a hard worker,” says Superintendent Loren Baele. ” … We’re just in awe of this man.”
Beckette moved to Bentonville from Springfield as a young boy. He attended a local elementary school. Though he never did learn to read or write, he did enjoy his time in school.
“He didn’t have extensive education,” Baele says. “People here recognize him only for his kindness, compassion and love.”
In adulthood, Beckette worked a number of jobs including working as a milk man, pitching hay and harvesting corn. But in 1952, he was hired on as a crossing guard at Oak Grove East.
Over the years, Beckette became a mainstay at Oak Grove. He ate lunch with the children and even gave them cards for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Students would comment on how wonderful Mr. Beckette would make each day at the school.
“It’s such a blessing for the kids to see him because he is so kind. He is the rock of this place. He has a smile on his face every day.”
Beckette says his constant smile comes from the love of his job.
“I like the staff and all the kids,” Beckette says. “I like to help people out, and I like to talk to people and have respect for people.”
A few years ago, the Bartonville Polilce Department honored Beckette with the city’s only official crossing-guard badge.
“We just wanted to do something special for him,” says Police Chief Brian Fengel. “He’s just amazing. He’d be out there in any weather, snow, rain, whatever, and get those kids thru. And he’s never complained.”
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