Lehi — He was already a born leader.
Just watch any soccer video where 13-year-old Beckham Crum stands in the middle of a team huddle shouting instructions and encouragement.
“He was all about having fun. Wherever he went, he looked for fun,” said Beckham's father, Mark Crum.
Let's be honest, Beckham had a lot of fun on the soccer field, or any sports field.
But Beckham's mother said his son also had a softer side.
“He did a talent show at school and sang 'Barbie Girl,'” Morgan Crum said. “Everyone told me the best thing about the talent show was him singing 'Barbie Girl.'”
Beckham Crum, 13, drowned in a swimming pool. As his family grieves, they are overwhelmed with support from the surrounding community. (Crum family)
Beckham was an outgoing, fun-loving guy, so it's hard to believe he died after drowning in a swimming pool.
“This is devastating,” Mark Crum said.
Ribbons are hanging around the Lehi neighborhood where he lived and flowers are being delivered to his family's home.
Though they are divorced, Beckham's parents, who have maintained a friendly relationship with him and his siblings, say they can't believe they will now only be able to hear his laugh and voice on video.
“It's hard to believe, given the person he was and the light he brought. It's been a really, really difficult three days,” Mark Crum said.
From now on, Beckham's memory will live on.
“I always say he was my dad's best friend, but he was my mom's son,” Morgan Crum said, “He loved to love, and I mean that kid would go to the grocery store with me, carry groceries, bring it upstairs for me, do anything, anything. All he needed was a hot tamale and a chocolate bar.”
Beckham Crum, 13, drowned in a swimming pool. As his family grieves, they are overwhelmed with support from the surrounding community. (Crum family)
Now those little things mean a lot more.
The family also thanks the community and those who knew Beckham for their support.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with expenses.
The family is planning a “celebration of life” Sunday at the Experience Events Center in Provo, with a 9 a.m. mortuary and an 11 a.m. funeral service.
There were so many people wanting to attend that the family had to move to a larger venue.
“He'd just want to laugh, not cry,” his father said, “so we're going to pay our respects, but we're going to do it in the best way we can for Beck.”
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