Bobby Earl Beedle

Bobby Earl Beedle, age 76, of El Cajon went to be with his Lord on July 15, 2021. Bob was born to Walter Earl Beedle and Frieda Leora Hayden on September 1, 1944 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1946, his parents and siblings moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Bob had fond memories of his childhood living in Iowa, especially summers with his Grandpa and Grandma Hayden in Peru, Iowa. One of his most beloved possessions was the feather tick mattress that he inherited from that property.

By the age of 10 years old, Bob wanted to go to California. After graduating high school, he moved with two friends to Orange County, California. He met Barbara Ann Mayer in 1964 and they married in February 1965. They settled in Anaheim, California where Bob pursued a bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State Fullerton and by 1970 welcomed his first child, Gayla.

In 1971, Bob and family settled in El Cajon, California to begin what became a 43-year career with State Farm Insurance. He was hired as an Adjuster and four years later became an Agent. Bob truly loved his profession. He has always valued human relationships and the ability to assist people in improving the quality of their lives.

He was a dedicated family man. His second daughter, Holly, was born in 1974. His third daughter, Cynde, was born in 1980 to his second wife Barbara Anne Hurst. He maintained strong relationships with his siblings. His family favorite vacation was to Iowa in 1981. His travel destinations always had family on the other end. Iowa, Colorado and Idaho are where he most desired going. Bob was an avid tennis player for over 50 years. It was not uncommon for him to play 3 times a week. He also loved playing dominos, billiards and chess.

Church and philanthropy were a top priority for Bob. He was a board member for First United Methodist Church of San Diego, which he and Barb have attended for over 25 years. Even the pandemic did not stop Bob from attending online sermons and participating in Zoom book studies. He volunteered for countless events. You could count on Bob to bring the barbecue, set up the tarp, cook the food and pack it back up until the next event. He regularly served meals to the homeless, volunteered for the Special Olympics and participated in Promise Keepers, the Optimist Club and LeTip Club. During the pandemic, Bob refused to cut his hair or shave his beard until he could attend church again in person. On June 20, 2021 he was able to resume attending church, so he raised money to trim his pony-tailed hair and 6-inch beard for the Children’s Center.

He was a loyal friend to many. He said that outside of family, the most important people were his tennis friends and the Promise Keepers group. Many of these friendships extended over 50 years. Bob said, “my faith, my family, my health, my friendships and my career as a State Farm agent are the most important things in my life”.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara of El Cajon, daughters Gayla Christine Fleming of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (Jeff), Holly Ann Mesta of Seattle, Washington (Ramon) and Cynde Lynne Smith of San Diego, California (John), sister Lynne Webb, brothers Tom Beedle and Walt Beedle, grandchildren Isabella Mesta, Ian Fleming, Owen Fleming and Roque Mesta.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 22nd, 10am at the First United Methodist Church of San Diego with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the First United Methodist Church of San Diego (https://onrealm.org/FirstChurchSanDiego/-/give/now) are requested.