Frank Beach

Frank Beach, 79, of North Little Rock, passed from this life on November 29, 2023, with his loving family by his side. He is the loving husband of Linda Beach and father to Angie Reed and Jaclyn Greeson.

Frank was born in March 1944 in Cincinnatus, NY to Clyde and Ruth Beach. Frank was the 8th of 10 children and developed an independent spirit with a house full of brothers and sisters. Along with the independent spirit came a spirit of intermittent stubbornness. This was on full display when he asked his mother for a second pancake but then refused to eat it. His mother made him sit until he ate it, which was several hours later. Never again in his life did he eat more than one pancake at a time. Frank acquired a tremendous work ethic from his father and older siblings working on the family dairy farm while growing up, all while attending school in Cincinnatus.

After graduating high school, Frank enlisted in the United States Air Force and thus began his journey to the south. After basic training in San Antonio, he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Little Rock Air Force Base in 1963 where he worked on B-47 Stratojets and his favorite, the B-58 Hustler. Frank was proud of his service but never bragged about it.

While stationed in Little Rock, Frank met the love of his life, Linda and thus began a 59-year love affair that would never end. A few years after they were married Frank and Linda welcomed their first daughter, Angie and several years later a second daughter Jaclyn. Frank was a loving father to his daughters and doted on them every chance he got. He even enlisted them to help with various projects. Frank would always ask them to help because he wanted to spend time with his girls (and maybe have them fetch tools). Years later, he would do work for his daughters in their homes—from working on air conditioners, installing water heaters, and electrical work—he did all of that to spend time with them and show love for his girls.

Frank had a love of classic cars and had several over the years including a bubble-top Impala, Mustang, and even a Corvette. He was a meticulous mechanic and would routinely work on his daughters’ cars to make sure they were fixed the right way. It was not uncommon for Frank to fix the cars of Angie and Jaclyn’s friends, many times paying for the parts out of his own pocket.

After his time in the Air Force was over in 1967, Frank went to work for O’Brien Engineering in Little Rock and eventually partnered with Ross Woodbury to start Woodbury-Beach Company. Years later, Frank took over sole ownership until he retired. Frank was proud of the company and serviced many hospitals, universities, and other industries throughout Arkansas.

One of Frank’s most cherished role was that of Pops to his 3 grandchildren—Abigail, Maddox, and Bennett. Every chance he got, Frank was spending time with his grandchildren, spoiling them and teaching them things only a Pops could. He taught them of his love of classic cars, planes, and anything mechanical.

Frank loved traveling with Linda to different destinations like Virginia, the Outer Banks, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. He loved sports and, even though Frank was a Yankee, he was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. He liked to razz Linda during football season because she is a Steelers fanatic. Frank was a New York Yankees fan, although he developed an appreciation for the Pirates and Tigers. Of course, living in Arkansas since 1963, he became a devout Razorbacks fan. As a matter of fact, he loved Arkansas so much his sister Joan moved to Arkansas to see what all the fuss was about...and she never left either.

Frank was a member of the Levy church of Christ since 1968 and was an integral part of the Levy Bus Ministry and Communion team for many years.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Ruth Beach; brothers Bruce and Ken Beach, sisters Barbara Beach Turner, Betty Beach Starost and Esther Beach Jackson; father-in-law Coy Williams, mother-in-law Margie Williams and brothers-in-law Larry and Steve Williams.

Frank is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Linda Beach; daughters Angie Reed (Trey) of Sherwood, AR, and Jaclyn Greeson (Lance) of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren Abigail and Bennett Reed of Sherwood, AR and Maddox Reidy of Suffolk, VA; Sister-in-law Kimberly Williams (Charles). Frank is also survived by brothers Clyde Beach, (Janice) and Rev. John Beach (Elva), sisters Rita McKee (Roger) and Joan Mathys (Richard), along with a host of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on December 4, 2023, 11:00am, at the Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Chapel and will be conducted by his son-in-law, Trey Reed, and Bill Arnold.

After the celebration, a visitation with the family will be held.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Abigail Reed, Bennett Reed and Maddox Reidy; nephews Michael Mathys, Kevin Mathys; Brothers-in-Law Richard Mathys and Charles Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers include his Woodbury-Beach family, Glenys Dawkins, Dain Matthey, and Jon Williams. Other Honorary Pallbearers include Bill Arnold and Edd Hoyt.

Memorials in Frank’s honor may be made to the Levy Church of Christ.