John Beem, age 81 and long-time Hall County Resident, passed away on November 15, 2014, in Sacred Heart Hospital at Miramar Beach, Florida, after a battle with pneumonia.
Mr. Beem was born in Chicago, Illinois, but he grew up in Pleasantville, Iowa. He was always a faithful "Hawkeye," having received scholarships in football and basketball for his college education at Drake University and the University of Iowa. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
He was employed in the industrial equipment field prior to moving to Gainesville. In 1973, he became Sales Manager and advertising Director of The Poultry Times and later retired from Watt Publishing Company's National and International Poultry and Feed publications.
He served in the U.S. Army and Reserves and played trombone for the U.S. Army band in Bremerhaven, Germany. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Elks Club, Chattahoochee Men's Golf Association and was active in other community organizations. He volunteered actively and generously in Georgia and Florida. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Beem. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan Beem; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Donna Beem; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Sharon Beem; step-daughter and son-in-law, Alisa and Jeff Sturgeon; grandchildren, Alexandra and Theodore Beem and step-grandchildren, Brooks and Hadley Sturgeon; sisters-and brother-in-law, Dianne and Mac Isaacs and Judith and Charles Webb; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Befitting of John's zest for life, his love of God, family and friends, a Celebration of Life service will be held in the "Great Room: of the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville at 11:00 am on December 13, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be maed to the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville 2780 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, Georgia 30506, or other charity of your choice.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200 or for those who desire online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
