Robert D Beaty

November 26, 1934 - May 7, 2025

At age 90, Dan went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Dan was born in Montgomery, Alabama. In his childhood, Dan lived in Montgomery, Auburn, and then Birmingham. He attended Ramsey High School. While at Ramsey, Dan was Sports Editor of the Highlander, the school’s newspaper, a senior class officer, and a letterman on the football team.

Dan earned a BS degree at Auburn University in Business Administration in 1957. While at Auburn, Dan was active in Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity and the Baptist Student Union. He was a member of the business honorary Delta Sigma Pi and was Business Manager of “The Plainsman”, the school’s newspaper. He was an officer in ODK honorary, and he was selected to serve in the Spades Honorary his senior year. He was a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. Dan completed his military service by serving in the Alabama National Guard for eight years.

He retired from BellSouth as an Operations Manager after 33 years of service. While working in the Bell System, Dan and his family lived in Birmingham, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, and Decatur, Alabama, and Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

Upon retirement, Dan dedicated himself to his community in many meaningful ways. He took on leadership roles as Executive Director of both the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA) and the American Subcontractors Association (ASA). At Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, AL, he was deeply involved—holding positions such as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and the Finance Committee, teaching Bible classes, and directing a Senior Adult Sunday School Department.

A devoted member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club for over 25 years, Dan also contributed as the club’s Administrator for more than two decades. He helped launch M/POWER Ministries and gave his time as a Literacy Teacher and GED Mentor, supporting others in their personal growth.

Outside of his community work, Dan found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, rooting for the Auburn Tigers, reading, birdwatching, cultivating roses, and traveling the world with his beloved wife, Gem.

He is preceded in death by his parents James Albert Beaty, Maude Fuqua Beaty, and his brother James Albert Beaty, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife Jimmie (Gem) Martin Beaty of 66 years and daughters Miriam Vinson (Keith), Suzanne Bonovitch (Lance) and grandchildren, Jennifer Craft (Lee) and Caroline Eldridge (Caleb), Patrick Bonovitch (Ashley) and Ashleigh Tilford (Tyler). He currently has eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Dan’s life will be held at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church on

May 19, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with the Celebration of Life Service following at 11:00 AM.

Memorials may be made to M/POWER Ministries, 4022 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222 or to Faithful Together, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209.