Guy "Bud" Baker Beattie Jr.

BEATTIE. The life of Guy “Bud” Baker Beattie Jr. of Mechanicsville, ended peacefully on April 22, 2016. Born on August 21, 1942, to Guy Baker and Fay Carpenter Beattie in Atlanta, Ga, Bud grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He graduated from Needham Broughton High School. At age 15 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1964, Bud had the distinction of being the first graduate of Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. After college he entered Officer Candidate School and joined the United States Navy as an ensign. He was stationed at the United States Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. After his active duty, Bud served in the United States Naval Reserve. He retired from the United States Navy in 1990 as a Lieutenant Commander. He spent 31 years of his civilian career as an Emergency Communications (E-911) Officer with the City of Richmond, VA., until he retired in 2002. Bud was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie Williams Beattie, and his parents. He leaves to cherish his memory his sweetheart Mary Fincher Wells; three daughters by former wife Jill: Paige Abasolo, Heather Moser (Mike), and Gwen DeForge (Chris); five grandchildren: Abraham Abasolo; Madison and Michael Moser; John Henry and Noah DeForge; his sister Margaret Thurston (Norris); nephew Christopher and niece Ellen Thurston of Raleigh. A funeral service will be held Sunday, May 1 at 4:00 pm at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Va. 23231. A reception will follow in the adjacent Nelsen Funeral Home Reception Center where family and friends are invited to raise a glass and toast a life well-lived. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 2095, Surf City, NC 28445. Condolences may be left at www.NelsenCares.com