Clell Donald Beesley

Clell Donald Beesley was born August 15, 1927 in Omaha, Arkansas to his father and mother Pleasant Beesley & Marie Collier and passed away May 26, 2021 in Orangevale, California.

"Don", as he was known, lived with his Grandparents since the 1st. grade. The Collier family moved in 1937 from Arkansas to Chico California, then to Sacramento, and Oakland. Grandpa Collier was a mentor to Don as a child. Very early in life two guidelines surfaced that guided his choices and decisions.

The first, because of his fragmented childhood, Don decided to be a “Tea Totalier.” He never drank an alcoholic beverage. He was very adamant against alcohol and its effects on life and the family.

The second was his faith in God. At the age of 15, he made a profession of faith, trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Nazarene Church in North Sacramento. He was baptized by his uncle Clell Collier in the American river.

He was drafted into military service, and he chose to join the Marines. He earned a sharp shooter promotion and earned an additional $5.00 an month over his basic salary. The target was at 500 yards and with an M-1 rifle with iron sights. Don’s skill with the smaller carbine earned him the “Expert Shooter” award. The U.S. at the close of WWII eliminated the Marine Aviation and gave Don the option to move into general duty or to release from the Marines. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines in 1946 from Treasure Island, San Francisco.

Don moved to Sacramento and became an apprentice as an Aircraft Mechanic at McClellan Air Force Base. In 1950, following 3 years as apprentice, he was then assigned to the Flight Test Section. He worked on single seat fighters, F80, F84, F86, and the F100. He was the youngest Crew Chief. During his time at McClellan AFB, Don worked as a Scheduler for Transformers and a Work Loader for the Electrical Manufacturing Division. He retired January 3, 1983.

1950 was also the year he married Thelma Faye Phipps on June 30th. The adventure begins; Thelma became pregnant and bore Don a son. It was with pride and joy, mixed with excitement and humbleness Kenneth Lee Beesley, was born September 16, 1952.The adventure continues; Thelma went a step further and became pregnant again. While Don and Thelma were living in her parent’s home, Susan Faye Beesley was born, July 28, 1954. The Family was complete.

Don’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and camping. He would often crawl under a Manzanita bush to meditate and pray. He hunted in California, Wyoming and New Mexico. He also began collecting U.S. coins. Beginning with pennies, it began to blossom to all denominations.

When asked about his happiest moments beyond his family he responded leading music in small missions: Orangevale Baptist, West Sacramento, El Camino Baptist, Temple Baptist and Uncle Clell’s Missionary Baptist. Don was a man of faith in God. He showed signs of meditation and prayer in choices and decisions he made in life. Prayer was a daily constant. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart; be pleasing even to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19: 14,

he lived his faith. He knew God’s grace and mercy and it affected his relationship to himself, his family, his friends and acquaintances. When he prayed in public, and often times in private, he would break down. It was for two reasons. First, realizing how inadequate he was and second man’s need to be in the center of God’s will. It caused emotions to surface. How often he prayed for his family and friends in tears. Don wanted you to know the peace and joy that comes from Jesus through the tests and trials that come in life.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b