James "Gene" Eugene Beale

A good and genuine person who taught us to be the same. He will be missed.

He was born to Margaret Eddleman Beale and Joseph Hugh Beale in Memphis, Tennessee. He had an older sister - he called Dean but his mom called her Hugholene. His dad passed away when he was young. When he was 17 he enlisted in the Marines too young, but His mom signed the papers for him to go in. He served in Korea and was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. When home on leave in Charleston he met Gladys Mae Hinson at a USO dance. They loved to dance together! And they did every chance they got for 50+ years. She was just 18, but they married 6 months later. He convinced her 5 big brothers and 1 sister and Mom to let him marry her and take her away! They moved coast to coast for the rest of his career with USMC. He continued to re-enlist in the Marines for a total 11 years service, finishing as Staff-Sergeant James Eugene Beale in 1961. But he was always a Marine!

After leaving the service he continued the education and practice of Data Processing leaving California and finally settling back in the south in Roswell, Georgia where their kids finished school and continued their lives.

They had a beautiful 58 years and 4 children together. Daughter Nancy (John) Belanger, their daughters Rhonda Belanger (Paul), Christine (Mike) Day, Jennifer Belanger, Hillary (Brad) Meridith, and Audra (Danny) Otterbacher. Daughter Cathy (Lee) Reith, their sons Jason Reith (Ross), and Kyle Reith. Son Joe, daughters Gena, Joleen (Brian) Wood, and Destini Beale. Son Michael and daughter (in law) Jody…..

They had an amazing number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren in the dozens! After losing Gladys, he moved to Florida to be near his sons and we all celebrated his every birthday. His birthday wish every year was for as many of his offspring as possible to be together on his birthday. We accomplished that every year sometimes doing all his bucket list like a biplane ride over Atlanta, skydiving, airboat riding, army tank driving, Whatever he was up to!

He loved and was so proud of his huge family, including the sweet nieces of his and Gladys'- Judy and Charles Charriez and their family, Joni and Charlie Molyneaux, and Dawn and Sean Gehle and family, who have continued to visit and keep in touch, and his sister-in-law Helen Hinson.

In the last 4 years he was lucky enough to find a new love! He married Vera and they lived together in independent living where they committed to taking care of each other as long as they could. They laughed and had so much fun together! She added so much to his life and they helped each other every day. With Vera he added 2 more sons- Richard and Michael … the family just continues to grow!

A celebration of life and reception for Gene will be held Monday, July 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953.