Cecil Sylvester Beatty

Cecil Sylvester Beatty was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma to Susie Thompson and Rupert Beatty on February 3, 1924. A descendant of formerly enslaved grandparents, Cecil was the second born child of four. At age 14 he left home and enrolled himself in Langston High School which was located on the campus of Langston College. He stayed in the dorms on the campus and supported himself by working in the cafeteria where he often received free meals. Cecil’s entrepreneurial spirit was fostered at an early age. He sold candy, shower shoes he carved from wood, and took suit measurements for the students. Cecil graduated from Langston High School in 1942 and immediately enrolled in the college. While attending Langston College, he played trumpet in the school’s band. He was a self-taught musician, and when his band director found out he had no formal music training he mentored him and taught him how to read music.

When World War II began, Cecil left college and joined a training program to become a machinist. Upon completing his training, he was given the opportunity to choose his work location. He ultimately chose a city as far away from Oklahoma as he could get- Seattle. He was stationed in Bremerton at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard working for less pay than his white counterparts. While working in the shipyard, Cecil met the love of his life, Yvonne F. Taylor. They were married by Rev. Benjamin Davis in 1943 at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle, WA. Shortly after they wed, Cecil joined the United States Merchant Marines and traveled all over the world. After his time in the Merchant Marines, he worked as a railway porter. Cecil and Yvonne relocated from Bremerton to Seattle where they raised their daughters, Pamela and Phyllis in the Madrona Park neighborhood. They forged bonds with other black families in the neighborhood that kept them connected for generations.

Cecil was a very accomplished man and did many remarkable things during his lifetime. He owned his own maintenance company and also retained a real estate license. In 1967, the Model Cities Program along with the Central Area Motivational Program launched the Mini-Tran shuttle service, a localized community transit and shuttle program. Cecil routed and trained the drivers for Head Start and Mini-Tran, which was the forerunner for the 23rd Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way bus routes. Cecil sang in the acapella men’s chorus, The Song Crafters under Mr. Joseph Powe. In addition to his work and love for music, Cecil was an activist, advocating for civil rights and social justice. He was featured in an issue of Jet magazine for his work patrolling the streets of Seattle to keep black residents safe from racist attacks and harassment. Upon entering retirement in his 50s, he returned to the workforce, working for Alaska Airlines as a skycap. He worked there for 40 years until fully retiring at age 90, receiving special company recognition for his long tenure.

Cecil S. Beatty was a true renaissance man. As a self-taught musician, he also learned Ukulele, harmonica, and classical guitar. He learned to ski at age 50 and skied all over the states and Europe, most notably skiing the Swiss Alps. He took up golf one year when there was a snow drought in the mountains. This sparked his love for golf and he continued to play in tournaments all across the country, earning the many trophies he displayed in his home. Cecil enjoyed photography and painting. He invested in audio-visual equipment and worked with his grandson and namesake, Cecil Beatty-Yasutake to offer videography capture and editing services for events. Cecil Beatty was a sartorialist, regarded as a ‘sharp dresser’ amongst his family and friends. He enjoyed collecting various accessories and interesting pieces from his travels. He was especially known for his hats and wing-tipped shoes.

Cecil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne whom he cared for until her last breath. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Susie Thompson, Rupert Beatty; siblings, Lafayette Owens, Elree Beatty, Johnnymae Jackson; grandchildren, Catherine Sumiye Yasutake and Cecil Beatty-Yasutake. He is survived by his daughters, Phyllis Yasutake (John Yasutake), Pamela Beatty-Holtby (Michael Holtby); grandchildren, Amy Beatty-Yasutake (w. Cecil Beatty-Yasutake), John Michael Yasutake, Tamao Yasutake, Felisa Yasutake (Omri Younker), Carter Yasutake, Pamela Yasutake-Green (Kevin Green); great-grandchildren, Aliceon Yasutake, Keone Yasutake, Barrett Anderson, Kayin Beatty-Yasutake, Samuel Hay-Yasutake, Zohar Younker and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family who cared for him and loved him dearly. Cecil passed peacefully in his home on the evening of August 7, 2026 surrounded by love.