BECKHAM, VERNON FINIS (1911~1998) Vernon Beckham was born on Oct. 22, 1911, near Ardmore, Okla., and grew up in Denison. After serving in the Army during World War II, he attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he completed a program in insurance management and underwriting. He was a partner and later owner of the Bruno-Beckham Insurance Agency in Denison. "He always had time and would give to anyone he could," said his grandson, Dale Dingley Jr. of Bastrop. "I think that's what made him such a great legislator." Beckham was elected to the House five times from Grayson County, north of Dallas. He won appropriations for an airport and Grayson County Junior College. Beckham also passed legislation that converted the birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower into a state park in Denison. Excerpted from an article in the Austin American Statesman, written February 24, 1998. For additional information, see biography of Marie Hancock Beckham.