Hollis M Beeman

Hollis Mayo Beeman, a U.S.Army, 6th Combat Amphibious Engineer WWII Veteran of the D-day Invasion of Normandy, France (Omaha Beach), age 94, and proud Husband, Son, Father, Brother, Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Great Great Grandfather, Texan and American Patriot on January 22, 2018; went to be with his Lord after another long battle was fought. He received great care while on the C.LC. A & B units and later the hospice wing of the Dallas V.A. Medical Center. He stated, “There was no other hospital or facility where he wanted to be.”

Hollis Mayo Beeman was preceded in death by his loving father Rufus “Roy” Beeman (1895-1981); Mother Bessie Mae “Cates” Beeman (1900-1993); Sister Daisy Estelle Beeman (1917-1960); and Brother Richard Raymond Beeman (1932-1968). Hollis Mayo Beeman is survived by a beautiful wife of 70 years, this February 20th, Mary Alice “Phillips” Beeman, which he adored with all his heart. It is said, “That no man and woman were more dedicated to each other than Hollis and Mary.” Hollis is survived by four children and their spouses: Carolyn June “Beeman” Judge and her spouse Tom Judge; Donna Sue “Beeman” Bruno and her spouse Wayne Bruno; Larry Don Beeman and his spouse Diane “Strauser” Beeman; and Jacquline Susanna “Beeman” Durnberger and her spouse Cody Paul Durnberger. Hollis Beeman has nine surviving grandchildren: Melissa Fretwell Prince; Dr. Marlon V. Bruno; Courtney “Beeman” Pine and her spouse Stephen Pine; Zachary Beeman and his spouse Amy “Leiva” Beeman; Marcus Bruno; Andrew Durnberger; Matthew Durnberger; Michael Durnberger; and Kaitlyn Durnberger. Hollis Beeman has seven Great Grand Children: Jesse Blake Prince and his spouse Alexandra “Bridges” Prince; Melody Prince; Brody Pine; Eli Pine; Levi Beeman; Ella Beeman; and Cameron Bruno. Mr. Beeman is also survived by one Great Great Granddaughter: Aleah Prince.

Hollis Mayo Beeman was born on September 12, 1923 in Brownwood, Texas his childhood was similar to others born in small rural towns during the depression, farm work, not a lot of money, but a lot of love and strong family bonds. After graduating from Brooke Smith High School he continued to work various farming and produce jobs, until the war broke out. He wanted to enlist in the military, as a tail gunner, but that did not happen the next day he was drafted. Mr. Beeman served from 1943 to 1945 trained in Texas, Florida, and Virginia, and then was sent to the European Theater. As mentioned, he entered the war on June 6th 1944 (D-day), 3rd wave, and received numerous commendations for his dedication and bravery, such as the “Croix de guerre” French Cross of War. During one encounter he was awarded a bronze star for saving an officer after a three-hour fire fight. In another engagement, he was wounded, after his hand was blown up and had to have a finger re-attached. For the rest of the war he was a driver for various high ranking officers, including Omar Bradley, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge and other combat details in England, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg. Years later at a museum a gentleman was doing a presentation on D-day and Hollis politely interrupted the man to point out in one of the pictures was the exact tree he dug a hole and slept in during his first night of war. All in attendance were filled with a sense of reverential respect mixed with fear, wonder, and excitement listening to his first-hand knowledge of history.

Shortly after returning from the war he met Mary on a blind date and they soon married. While purchasing their home in Dallas they mistook the property line and posted a mailbox on the neighbor’s lawn, but as fortune would have it, it led to a conversation with the mailman that culminated into a 68 year relationship with Hickory Tree Baptist Church. Current Pastor Alex Gonzales and the Hickory Tree family has been an important part of Hollis and Mary’s life. So, much so that Mr. Beeman was referred to as Dad or Grandpa by many of the members. Mr. Beeman was fortunate to retire from two jobs the old Dallas Ford Plant and the U.S. Postal Service.

Hollis and Mary loved to travel. They even visited all 50 U.S. States. A good time to them was getting all dressed up and going out to eat then Country Dancing in Dallas or driving to Branson, Missouri. Mr. Beeman loved studying his ancestry and making family trees, passing on stories of his family’s heritage, and visiting corresponding historic family markers while traveling, America. He loved family time too. Spending time with his children on family trips or playing with them during Dallas snow days always put a smile on his face. He loved all 3 generation of grand children and going that extra mile to see the smiles on their faces: From teaching them to drive while sharing family history to eating snow cones while watching his grandchildren while another grandchild was being born, spending time with family was always his greatest joy. One of the best and funniest retold stories was him dressing up as Santa Claus and him not even trying to hide his strong Texas accent and the kids saying all puzzled, “Why does Santa Claus sound like grandpa?”

Hollis Beeman, was not only devoted to his family, church, country, and God, but to his fellow man and community. He volunteered for numerous organizations everything from reading to children, talking to schools about war, several VA programs including being the Chaplain of the Dallas Disabled Veterans of America, represented WWII veterans in Washington D.C., participated in the preservation of history project with the University of Florida, and was a light to others during his 67 years as a Freemason, were as a Good and Great man of James Ladd Burgess Lodge # 1305 of Dallas, Texas he was involved in countless charities to better children, orphans, and widows.

The discipline and patriotism he learned in the U.S. Army never left him, as friends and family will attest. Honor, Respect, Loyalty, and Integrity are just four words that defined Hollis Mayo Beeman. These values were demonstrated faithfully every day in his words, actions, behaviors, and choices, in a commanding way that would make you want to be a better person. His presences impacted all that came into contact with him, leaving impression that will resonant in time. God bless Hollis Mayo Beeman, his generation, and all the men and women that have sacrificed for our wonderful Country. With sadness may his tired worldly body rest… but let us rejoice knowing his soul is in that spiritual house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Fisher House Foundation

www.fisherhouse.org.

About: Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes located at military and VA Hospitals where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.