FAMILIES A-C: BECKETT ~ Donald E. Beckett
As shown in the image at the right, Donald E. Beckett is the son of Donald H. Beckett (of Hanover Township) and Dorothy (Glardon) Beckett (of Darrtown).
Dorothy was the daughter of Darrtown residents, Ellis Glardon and Ethel (Tuley) Glardon. Through most of the 1950's, Ellis (known to many as "Dugan") and Ethel operated Glardon's Grocery, which was located in the building that now (2021) houses Don's Carry-Out and Eric's Pizza. See more Glardon history at the Glardon family page.
After growing up in Darrtown, Dorothy Glardon married Donald H. Beckett of Hanover Township, Butler County, Ohio. After their marriage, Donald H. and Dorothy took up residence on a farm located at 2411 Stillwell-Beckett Road. They were married for 70 years, until Donald died in 2010. The Becketts had one daughter, Diana Beckett and two sons, Donald E. Beckett and Darrell Beckett.
Donald E. Beckett, attended Hanover schools, until the Talawanda School District opened in fall of 1956. Don entered the brand-new Talawanda High School, as a sophomore - where he lettered in baseball and football. See more about Don's athletic career below.
After graduating from Talawanda High School in the spring of 1959, Don bought his grandparents' grocery business and opened Don's Carry Out. Shortly thereafter, the building which housed the grocery was put up at public auction. Don succeeded in buying the building, thanks in large part to the cooperation of Earl "Red" Huber.
In the same year (1959) Donald E. Beckett became a resident of Darrtown, when he and his wife moved into the house, on the south side of Scott Road, that is immediately east of the intersection of Darrtown Pike and Scott Road. Thus, Donald E. Beckett became a Darrtown Pioneer.
The above image was taken from the Beckett branch of the Darrtown Family Tree at Ancestry.com. To access the tree, contact the Darrtown.com webmaster.
Donald E. Beckett (born 1941) is, according to known records, the first Beckett to live in Darrtown - which means that he is a Darrtown Pioneer.
Don Beckett and athletics
As mentioned above, Don played football and baseball at Talawanda HIgh School, from 1957-1959. He and two THS teammates (Richard "Butch" Green and Donnie Wilhelm) earned tryouts with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Don continued playing amateur baseball in the Hamilton Muni League, until the league was disbanded. He was introduced to slo-pitch softball, when Larry Richardson asked him to play with a team in a College Corner softball league.
Don's association with slo-pitch softball continued for xx years, as a player and manager of numerous teams. In 2010, Don was inducted to the Butler County Softball Hall of Fame. That organization also inducted the Don's Carry-out team in 2019.
In Don's words, he played "three nights a week and on weekends, averaging 150-170 games" per season.
Don also played basketball for several years after high school. Most notably, he played with the Isaac's Auto Sales team that won the Ohio state AAU title in 1969, with a record of 39-1.
Most of the information that appears below was acquired during several phone conversations with Don Beckett in early June 2021.
Don Beckett and Darrtown's ball field
Don's son, Jeff, showed a talent for baseball early in life and that prompted Don to seek places for Jeff, and other area youngsters, to play ball.
Eventually, Don, and several Darrtown residents sought to create a ball field in the village. Don approached Paul Everhart about using some of Paul's farm land on the west side of Darrtown for a ball field. Paul generously agreed and a community-wide effort was begun to build a ball field at the north end of West Street.
In its first season, the Darrtown ball field hosted xx leagues and xx teams.
Don's leadership in building the ball park at Darrtown was recognized by the 2014 Darrtown Bicentennial Committee when it christened the diamond as Don Beckett Field.
Don Beckett as a school bus driver
Don drove a school bus driver for the Talawanda School District for nearly 30 years. He began soon after he turned 21 years of age - driving an elementary and high school route daily.
Some might suggest that driving a school bus was in Don's blood, as both his father, Donald H. Beckett, and his maternal grandfather, Ellis Glardon, were school bus drivers.
Don Beckett "Recollections"
During the June 2021 telephone interview, Don shared several memories of his life in Darrtown. See Don Beckett Recollections.
