Edward A. Beekman

Edward A. “Ted” Beekman of Okemos, Michigan passed away on October 22, 2024, two days shy of his 80th birthday. Ted was born to Marvin E. Beekman and Pauline B. Westwood on October 24, 1944 in Lansing, Michigan. In his youth, Ted enjoyed activities with friends in his north Lansing neighborhood, playing pickup baseball at Bancroft Park and golfing at Groesbeck Golf Course, where at the young age of 16 he met his best friend and future wife, Kay Searl.

He graduated from Lansing’s Eastern High School where he golfed, played basketball, and was on the cheerleading squad. Shortly thereafter he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was named Lansing’s Marine of the Year in 1968. Upon his honorable discharge from military service he returned to Lansing and began a long career at Oldsmobile. Working mostly in Plant One, he started on the body drop, ultimately retiring as the director of the Final Car Assembly Audit.

Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and son. He was a youth sports coach, assisted with scouts, and attended countless after school events and activities. He enjoyed sharing his passions with his four sons on the golf course and in his home woodworking shop. On the golf course, he was recognized as one of the ten best putters in Lansing by the Greater Lansing Area Golf Association and enjoyed competing in golf tournaments around the Midwest.

From a young age Ted gained woodworking, mechanical, and artistic expertise alongside his parents. His creative artistic abilities were expressed through drawing, painting, and through the construction of their family home, a Saltbox reproduction, and much of the furniture within it.

All who knew Ted will remember his smile, his big easy laugh, and his quick wit. He loved sweet treats, Cheez-Its, cinnamon rolls caked in peanut butter, and the McDonald’s drive through. He enjoyed building and repairing furniture for his churches, first St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing and later St. Martha in Okemos. He had a particular fondness for those who might be down on their luck or in need of a hand, quietly helping and encouraging co-workers, friends, and even casual acquaintances throughout his life.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Pauline Beekman and brothers-in-law David Mills and Terrance Evans. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay; their sons Bill (Cindy) Beekman of East Lansing, Bob (Anne) Beekman of Grand Rapids, Eddie (Stacy) Beekman of Grand Rapids, and Philip (Cynthia) Beekman of Belgrade, Serbia; his grandchildren Ben, Katie, Megan, Nick, Payton, Carson, Will, Joey, Eddie, and Ryker; his siblings Pat Evans, Sue Mills, and Lynwood (Karen) Beekman; and his brother-in-law Richard (Phoebe) Searl.

Ted’s family thanks the many caregivers who helped Ted over the years (sometimes despite his lack of enthusiasm for medical care) including those who became close friends, especially Dr. John Throckmorton, Dr. Mike Zaroukian, and his neighbor, Dr. Jamie Clarkson.

A funeral mass will take place on Monday, October 28 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martha Parish in Okemos, Michigan with the family welcoming friends at St. Martha, one hour before the service at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ted’s memory can be made to the Marvin E. and Pauline B. Beekman Endowment Fund benefiting special education through the Capital Region Community Foundation.