2008 Hall of Fame Inductee
Raymond E. Beckham has been an essential ingredient of behind-the-scenes BYU Athletics from its start. Beckham was the first person to hold the title of BYU Sports Information Director starting in 1949, served as the chief statistician for football and basketball for seven years, was a member of the Athletic Council for 15 years, and was the Alumni Director for 10 years.
Beckham also had a direct influence on the fundraising campaigns for what are now LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Marriott Center and the Smith Fieldhouse.
With Dr. Roger Parkinson, Beckham co-founded the Cougar Club in 1963 and has been a member every year since, including as a Legacy member. Beckham was also a member of the search committee culminating in the hiring of head football coach Tom Hudspeth and director of athletics Floyd Millet.
Not only has Beckham been a key player in the veneration of BYU Athletics, he has also contributed to BYU in a number of other ways. Beckham is a Professor Emeritus of Communications and taught advertising and public relations for 21 years; served as the director of development and public services for five years each; founded the Aspen Grove Family Camp and worked for the travel studies department, evening school and the New York City Internship Program. He created the BYU Evening School (now Continuing Education) and the Travel Studies Department. He also began Education Week and organized the Young Ambassadors.
BYU has awarded Beckham with the Man of the Year Award, the Presidential Medal and the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He has also earned Provo's Abraham O. Smoot Outstanding Citizen Award, Rotary Club's Service-Above-Self Award, Scouting's Silver Beaver award, the Red Cross Clara Barton Award and the Sons of Utah Pioneers "Modern Pioneer" award.
In his business and professional career, he is a retired vice president of corporate communications for Nu Skin International, former chairman and board member of Deseret Federal Savings and Loan and former president of National Resources and Deseret Villages.
Beckham joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 19 while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and hasn't quit serving since. His Church service includes that of stake president, bishop, member of the high council, scoutmaster, mission president, regional representative, member of the adult curriculum committee, chairman of the home teaching committee, member of the Melchizedek Priesthood committee, minority committee, temple sealer and member of the Provo Utah Temple Presidency. He also served nine years as a full-time missionary in the Church Public Affairs Department, the last four of which were on the Church Olympic Committee for the 2002 Winter Games.
Married to the late Ida Lee Jackson in 1947, the couple has five children, 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as of 2008. Following his first wife's death in 1994, Beckham married Janette Callister Hales, who has five children and 14 grandchildren.
Post-induction notes: Beckham passed away at age 90 on October 31, 2017. As part of BYU's 2018 Homecoming, Beckham was the honored Founder for his immense contributions to the university.