Jeffrey Jacob "Jake" Beaton

Jeffrey Jacob “Jake” Beaton, 59, passed on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at his home in Virginia Beach. Jeff was born in Memphis, TN to the late John M. Beaton and Lois R. Washburn. He is survived by his brothers; John, Joe and wife Linda, and Jason and wife Jennifer; Stepfather George Washburn; and step children, Lisa Gilmour, and Becky Grebosky; four grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Jeff had been a quadriplegic for nearly 39 years as the result of a tragic trampoline accident as a 3rd year student at the University of Virginia. Short of intermittent illnesses, nothing slowed Jeff down. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Jeff went on to law school at UVA and practiced law for 30 years. Jeff authored a book, songs, and several magazine articles championing the rights of the disabled. Jeff was an accomplished landscape artist, was named “Man of the Year” by the Virginia Beach Jaycees and for 15 years and was an adjunct professor at Tidewater Community College. Jeff also served as a member of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission and chairman of a training and advisory center for the disabled.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Smith & Williams Kempsville Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spinal Cord Research at christopherreeve.org