James (Jim) Edwin Beckstine

James (Jim) Edwin Beckstine, 73, of Braselton, Georgia, passed away from a heart attack on Saturday, August 24, 2024, while attending a youth ministry training at his home parish of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch, Georgia. 

Jim was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania on August 25, 1950 where he grew up on a dairy farm. As a student at Jamestown High School, Jim enjoyed being on the wrestling team. Jim met Karen Cigrand when she traveled from Iowa to Pennsylvania for a 4H trip. They fell in love and married on July 18, 1970. The couple welcomed four children during their marriage. Jim also served in the United States Navy from 1972 to 1980 on two ships: the USS Eisenhower and the USS California as a nuclear machinist mate.  After retiring from the navy, Jim worked on farms doing what he loved working with animals. After attending The University of Georgia, Jim worked in the low voltage field before opening his own company, Citadel Security Systems, which he successfully ran for many years. On his 20 acres in Braselton, he built a log home with the help of his children and friends. Jim filled his farm with fiber animals: alpacas and angora goats and horses for pleasure. He loved working at his home on woodworking projects and could often be found tinkering around the property. 

Jim dedicated his life to serving others in whatever capacity was needed, especially at his home church of Prince of Peace, where he used his low voltage skills to maintain and install the security systems at the church. He served as a Catechist for Confirmation students, and he was a member of the Men’s Club and Knights of Columbus of the highest degree. He and his wife also served their church together as Marriage Encounter ministers and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

His wonderful life will be forever treasured by his loving wife of 54 years: Karen (Cigrand) Beckstine; his children: Ida (Beckstine) Pfiel and her husband, Eric Pfiel; Eric Beckstine and his wife, Rochelle (Reese) Beckstine; and David Beckstine and his wife, Tiffany (Eubanks) Beckstine; his grandchildren: Margaret (Pfiel) and Eric Sturniolo, Sean Pfiel, Theresa Pfiel, Brenna Beckstine, Piper Beckstine, Maxwell Beckstine, Fisher Beckstine, Aidan Beckstine, and Wyatt Beckstine; and his siblings: Melinda (Beckstine) and Pete Peckyno, Barbara (Beckstine) Wilson; and Jeffrey and Janna Beckstine. He is predeceased by his parents, Buddy Beckstine and Margaret (Griffin) Beckstine; and his son, Benjamin Beckstine.  

Visitation will be held at Flanigan Funeral Home on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 5-8 pm with a rosary at 7 pm and memory sharing directly afterward. The funeral will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch at 1 pm on Friday, August 30, 2024. Jim’s ashes will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetary in Canton. Flowers can be sent to Flanigan’s Funeral Home in Buford, Georgia or in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s honor to The Sister Water Project or The American Legion Post 56.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.