Jack Besteman Obituary

Besteman, Jack
9/2/1951 - 9/22/2023
Paris Texas
The Besteman Family will receive friends on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. with a memorial service following on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Christian Fellowship Paris, 3410 North Main, Paris, Texas. The family has chosen Jack's final resting place at the ranch he loved, where the family will have a private service. In lieu of flowers if you want to honor Jack, consider giving a living plant or tree that will be placed at his memorial garden.

John "Jack" Dale Besteman of Paris, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 22, 2023, at the age of 72. Jack was born to James and Winnie Besteman on September 2, 1951, in Jamestown, Michigan. Jack was number four of six siblings: Carl, Jean (Vonk), Jim, Dan, and Dave Besteman. They all grew up on the family farm, and, oh, the colorful stories that we have heard from them from their time there. From running over each other with bikes, to rolling down the hill in a rabbit cage, or to being wounded from being poked in the leg with a pitch fork, the Besteman kids were raised somewhat rough around the edges, yet they always had each other's backs when push came to shove as it so often does in life. Suffice it to say, the farm-raising was important to Jack, so much so that he later in life bought that farm and raised his family there in Michigan.
During his younger years in life, though, Jack was not the best at submitting to authority. At one point, he rode his Triumph motorcycle through the gym during a pep rally and then later left that high school without getting his diploma; however, the lack of a diploma did not stymie his quest for success. Quite the contrary because it was when he was a young adult that he traversed the country with a successful carnival, often boasting that he ran the first Zipper carnival ride in the USA and learned the ropes from the bottom up so well that he eventually partnered with the owner of the carnival. During the off-season, he hustled various side jobs such as painting oil tanks and risking his life in the off chance of maybe falling through the rusted surfaces. Jack never considered any job "too hard" or "too dangerous." Similar to Larry the Cable Guy, one of Jack's life mottos was "just git 'er done." And, man oh man, he did just that 24/7!
After being told he would never succeed without formal business school training, he fearlessly dove into real estate, and his career took off despite his critics' warnings. Jack received numerous top producer awards and eventually became a franchise owner of ReMax. He also began building his real estate portfolio where he experienced great success. He truly epitomized the person in the phrase "Jack of all trades" up to a point; however, he rewrote the companion phrase "and master of none" because he was "master of many," leaving his children and grandchildren a legacy of success. Indeed, his "larger than life" footprints will not be easy to fill!
In 1977, he met the love of his life, Pam Terpstra, while showing her a piece of property. In the end, he didn't make the sale, but he got the girl. After a short engagement, they were married on February 10, 1978. Over the next twelve years, Jack and Pam grew their family. They had five children: Jason, Heather, Josh, Becca, and Jacob.
During the child-raising years, Jack and Pam found themselves looking out the window at the snow blowing sideways and discussed leaving the bitter cold and constant winter snow and searching somewhere warmer where he could pursue his lifelong dream of ranching. After traveling all over Texas and Oklahoma, Jack found the Choctaw Ranch on the Red River. Since he thought it was a great area to set down roots, he purchased it and continued to buy other ranches as he sold properties in Michigan.
In early 1996, Jack moved his family of seven to the Texas and Oklahoma area and began his time as a full-time rancher. Although there was definitely a learning curve, he quickly made friends with many men here who helped him learn the cattle business. Jack's desire was that he would have more time to spend with his family on the ranch as opposed to the long hours spent away embroiled with his business in Michigan. He soon found out that ranching was a job that still required lots of work, but he also found that it was a family affair with everyone helping out with the work. He truly embraced the concept of family owned and operated ranches.
Granted, it was well noted and observed that family was very important to all who knew and loved Jack, but his relationship with Jesus was at the core of his very being. Even though he may not have said many words about his abiding faith, he lived his life as an example in that he not only talked the talk but walked the walk. He attended and served in church every week, and he enjoyed singing in the choir and being a leader with Celebrate Recovery. Truly, his life reminds others of the age-old adage that actions speak louder than words.
As the years went by, the kids grew and began marrying and having grandchildren. His grandkids were such a joy to him, 16 in total! "Cowpappa" was one of his favorite names!
In 2015, after having some unexplained medical issues, he was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a rare nervous system syndrome that affects a person's ability to communicate. It started with difficulty speaking, but as time passed, he completely lost the ability to speak and even write. Faced with this extreme difficulty in communicating, he physically was strong and still continued ranching with Pam and Jason. He thoroughly enjoyed being on the tractor and caring for his cows everyday. He lived a purpose driven life.
Even though the disease eventually took his words, it didn't take his love and devotion for his family. Early in 2022, the disease had progressed to the point that it made it hard for him to continue working on the ranch. He spent most of his time at the house where Pam faithfully cared for his every need.
As his time on earth was closing, his entire family surrounded him, singing his favorite songs, and ushering him to heaven where he received his complete healing.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his five siblings of Southwestern Michigan: Pam, his wife of 45 years; his sons Jason and wife Cara, Josh and wife Rachel, and Jacob Besteman; his daughters, Heather and husband James Dickson and Rebecca and husband Cody Kelly; and, 16 grandchildren ranging in ages 3 months to 16 years, all of Paris, Texas. What a blessing to be surrounded with all of his children and grandchildren!