Roll Call Tribute

Michael Randall Beggs 

May 14, 1946 - August 13, 2023 

Michael Randall Beggs was born on May 14, 1946. In later years, he did the math and was able to surmise that he was the direct result of the VJ Day celebrations. Mike departed this life on August 13, 2023 in his home, after a long recovery from surgeries and illnesses.

He was the handsome and last son of Kenneth Arbra Beggs and Lynnie Gibson of Tyler, Texas. Mike is the widower of Darragh Fertitta Beggs whom he met during the summer break from Texas A&M in 1967. They married ten days after meeting and for over fifty-five years, they were married and devoted to each other.

Mike grew up over parts of Texas as well as some short stints in Mississippi and Louisiana as his family moved quite often for work. He was considerably younger than his siblings and was often the only child at home. He attended 13 different elementary and secondary schools before graduating from Athens High School in 1964 and went on to his beloved Texas A&M University where he majored in Modern Languages. He mastered 4 languages at A&M and was a member of the Class of 1968. In 1969, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps where he would learn, and then teach Vietnamese, before deploying to Vietnam as an Infantry Officer. While serving in Vietnam, he was wounded twice and was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor in addition to his Purple Heart, Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal First Class. Mike never fully recovered from his severe wounds he suffered in Vietnam and would carry the painful daily reminders for over 52 years.

After his early medical retirement from the Marine Corps as a Captain, he went on to have a second successful career as a Systems Engineer in the defense industry. He used his expertise to continue to support the Marine Corps and the Navy, striving to ensure programs were designed to realistically support the warfighters in combat conditions. Mike and Darragh resided in Fredericksburg, Virginia for many years until their joint final retirement and subsequent return to Texas.

Mike enjoyed nothing more than his grandchildren and mentoring young Aggies. Mike and his wife were always a center of “found” family wherever they went and upon his return to College Station, adopted numerous “Aggie Sons and Daughters”. He was an active and proud member of the Ross Volunteer Association, Corps of Cadets Association, Yell Leader Association, Letterman Association, and of course Huslin’ 1. Always mindful of the first real home he experienced at A&M, he strived to preserve that legacy for current and future students and worked towards that end as a founding member of The Rudder Association.

Mike loved to sing, good bull, and a bad “dad joke”. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 1977, and his faith in the Lord was what anchored him. He was always at his best when he was able to serve others and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his six children: Hayward (61) of College Station, Robert (59) of Fredericksburg VA., Harold (55) of Asheville NC, Michael (51) of College Station, his daughter Darragh Elizabeth (49) of Ferrara Italy, and his youngest son Justin (46) of Austin. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren; his brother, James N. Beggs of Murchison, TX; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Flowers and condolences can be sent to the funeral home. Other expressions of sympathy may be made with donations in Michael’s honor to The Ross Volunteer Association or The Rudder Association.