Brother James Paul "Buddy" Becknell passes at 87 years old

Brother Buddy Becknell, an almost 62 year member of Catawba Lodge, laid down his working tools on July 24th, 2026.

Some people leave behind accomplishments. Others leave behind stories. James Paul Becknell, Jr., known simply as “Buddy” to his family and Paul throughout his career, leaves both.

Born on June 1, 1939, Buddy spent nearly his entire life in Fort Mill, a town he loved long before it became what it is today. Raised on what was once known as “Mill Hill,” he learned the value of honest work at an early age, spending his summers while school was out working at Leroy Springs Mill. Those early lessons shaped the man he would become. A man who believed there was dignity in hard work, pride in doing things right, and honor in keeping your word.

Buddy proudly served his country in the United States Navy before returning home to continue building a life centered on faith, family, and service. Never was one to stop learning, he attended school at night while working full time to provide for his family.

He had a 55 year career with Trane Technologies. Starting out as service technician and ended his career with the company naming a training center after him. He was a legend in the industry and well known throughout Charlotte. He retired from Trane Technologies in September 2025. He continued teaching HVAC at Central Piedmont Community College at night.

His commitment to serving others reached far beyond his career. Buddy was President of the York County Crescent Shrine Club of Hejaz, a proud Hejaz Shriner, Scottish Rite Master Mason, and an Eagle Scout. Wherever there was an opportunity to serve his community, Buddy stepped forward.

His greatest foundation, however, was his faith. He faithfully taught Sunday School at St. John’s Methodist Church in Fort Mill and earlier in life served as both a deacon and elder at Riverview Presbyterian Church. The Bible was never just a book sitting on a shelf. Buddy knew God’s Word, believed it, and lived it. If someone misunderstood Scripture, he wasn’t afraid to open his Bible and help point them back to the truth. He believed right was right, wrong was wrong, and family was worth protecting.

Buddy was impossible to forget. He loved to have a good time. At the Fort Mill Golf Course, where he was often the first golfer to tee off each Saturday morning, friends recognized him long before they saw his face. His flamboyant golf attire. His favorite saying, “Don’t take any wooden nickels,” was offered with a smile and became one more way people remember him.

He loved to dance. He loved old Westerns, especially John Wayne, and made certain every grandchild appreciated “The Duke” as much as he did. He loved the lake and the water, teaching both Chuck and Lee to water ski and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

But more than anything, Buddy loved his family.

His happiest days were the ordinary ones watching grandchildren grow, laughing around the table, celebrating milestones, and later holding his great-grandsons. Those moments mattered more to him than any title or accomplishment. They were the true measure of a life well lived.

Buddy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, JoAnn Wilson Becknell; his son, Lee Wilson Becknell; his parents, James Paul Becknell, Sr. and Nell Miller Becknell; and his brother, Ronald Melvin Becknell.

He leaves behind his son, James Paul “Chuck” Becknell III and wife Jennifer; daughter-in-law, Jodie Becknell; sister, Georgia Becknell Kidd and husband Carroll; brother, David Becknell; sister-in-law, Lydia Becknell; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Becknell Chapman and husband Will, Garrett Becknell and wife Ashton, and Carly Becknell Blakley and husband Jason; 4 great-grandsons, Weston James Chapman, William Blaine Chapman, Caden Tate Chapman, and Samuel James Blakley (“SJ”); along with many nieces, nephews, his Trane family, fellow Shriners, Masons, church family, and neighbors whose lives were richer because they knew him.

Buddy’s life reminds us that the measure of a man is not found in what he owned, but in how he lived. He served his country, his church, his community and he loved his family fiercely. He stood firmly for his faith. And he left behind a legacy that will continue to guide those who loved him for generations to come.

Masonic Information:

Raised 12/17/1964

Total Years since raising: 61.6

Fifty Year Date: 12/17/2014

Service Information:

Services will be held this coming Friday at St. John's United Methodist Church, 130 Tom Hall St, Fort Mill, SC 29715

• Visitation will start at 10AM
• Masonic Service will start at 10:30AM
• Funeral Service will start at 11AM
• Catawba Lodge 56 will open for the purpose of providing a Masonic Service at 9AM at the lodge before moving to St. Johns UMC

Catawba Lodge 56 in Fort Mill held it's annual Ladies Night & Awards Banquet earlier this month.  Our guest speaker was Taylor Thomas, Executive Director of Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill SC.  Everyone in attendance learned something about the programs and good works of this community center and the vital role it plays in the health and well-being of the community.

Congratulations to Senior Warden Alex Harllee  for selection as Officer of the Year.  Mike Mcateer was selected for the W. L. Broadwell award in recognition of many years of service to the lodge and Masonry.

Alex Harllee and Junior Warden Dean Cullon presented WM Kevin Bivins with a plaque with a gavel mounted to it in appreciation of his fantastic year leading our lodge.

Steward and Coach Caleb Page was not able to attend the banquet, so his Mason of the Year award was presented at November's regular communication.

Congratulations on a successful year and banquet event.  Congratulations also to our much deserving award recipients.

Congratulations to our four newly made Master Masons, Brothers Barfield, Bivins, Curtis and Rush.

We look forward to seeing you regularly at Catawba Lodge.

Tickets for the 2024 Catawba Lodge Awards Banquet and Ladies Night, to be held on the evening of November 2nd. 2024,  are now on sale. 

The tickets are $20 each and are available for purchase by contacting a lodge member or at any upcoming degree work or at the October regular communication.

Walk-ins will not be accepted this year as food will be catered by-the-plate  instead of family-style.

We look forward to seeing you and your significant other at this year's banquet.

We were excited to receive a donation of over 40 bales of pine straw from an unknown benefactor this month.  We had planned to purchase these, but they mysteriously were delivered to the lodge recently.

The Building and Grounds Committee have placed the pine straw around out bushes and flower beds and they really dress up the exterior of the lodge.

THANK  YOU to our pine straw benefactor!