Lloyd Dean Mc Beth

Lloyd Dean McBeth was born on a farm in Shelby, Nebraska on April 18, 1926, to Charles Edwin and Elfie Marguerite (Younker) McBeth. He and his five brothers and sisters grew up on the family farm during the depression. He attended a one room country school in Shelby, and graduated from high school in Stromsburg.

After graduation he enrolled at the University of Nebraska in pre-med but WWII intervened and he joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet in 1944. He finished flight training after the war, receiving his commission and wings. He remained active in the Naval Reserve, retiring after 26 years of service, achieving the rank of Captain while stationed at Alameda.

He returned to the University of Nebraska where he met Donna Virginia Larson and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1951 Lloyd and Donna married at St. Paul Methodist Church in Lincoln. His first career as a chemist took them first to Indian Head, Maryland and then to Chicago. In 1956 he joined American Airlines as a co-pilot with subsequent transfers to Dallas and San Francisco where he remained until he retired after 30 years, the last few years as Chief Pilot and Base Manager of Flight. Patricia Ann was born while they were in Indian Head, and Barbara Kay was born in Dallas. They bought their home in Santa Clara in 1962 where he lived until moving to Stockton in 2024. In Santa Clara he and Donna joined the newly formed Trinity United Methodist Church, where he remained an active member the rest of his life.

In lieu of flowers please donate to: Nebraska Alumni Association, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)