Major Eugene (Gene) Rhodes Beachem, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Waco, Texas, holding hands with his loving wife on February 28, 2018. He died of complications related to Parkinson’s disease which originated from his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Gene was born on September 22, 1942 in Slippery Rock, PA to Florance Mae Boyd and Cecil Rhodes Beachem. He was raised in his grandparents’ home and on the family farm where he learned a strong work ethic which continued throughout his entire life. Gene graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1960. He served a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexico City Mission.
Following his church mission he joined the US Air Force ROTC program where he graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and later a M.S. in Logistics Management when stationed at Wright Patterson AFB. He was selected for pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas where he met his sweetheart, Nancy Jane Jaden, on Feb. 1, then they were engaged on Valentine’s Day and married on March 23, 1968 before he left to serve as a reconnaissance pilot in the Vietnam War. He retired from the US Air Force in 1995 after 21 years of service to his country as a pilot, pilot instructor, Math teacher, and air traffic controller.
Family meant everything to Gene and his love of family will continue through his siblings, children, and grandchildren. He loved the responsibility of fatherhood and caring for others in need. Service was key to Gene as was evident in his service to his country, his Savior and Heavenly Father, family, friends, and neighbors.
Gene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities including a loving Bishop for many years. He also took to heart the scripture “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God”. He was always a true disciple of Christ and treated everyone he encountered like they were a special son or daughter of God. Gene loved to build anything and everything out of any material he could get his hands on. He loved to fish and hunt and enjoy God’s creations.
During his rich life, Gene battled Parkinson’s disease, skin cancer and dementia, he fought the good fight. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers (Cecil “Jake” and Gary), sister (Lura Cawthorne) and grand-daughter (Savannah Griffiths). Gene leaves behind a legacy of two children: Jeni Griffiths (Matt), Brent Beachem, and three grandchildren: Katie, Austin, and Ammon.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Waco, TX VAMC Building 11A for their special care, compassion and understanding.
A viewing in honor of Gene’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home: 14501 North Interstate 35 Pflugerville, Texas 78660. Funeral services will be held Thursday March 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing one hour prior to services, both at LDS Church: 700 North Heatherwilde Blvd.; Pflugerville, Texas 78660. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at: 11463 State Hwy 195; Killeen, Texas 76542.
