John Lloyd Beene

John Lloyd Beene, 77, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Tyler, Texas. He was born to parents Barbara Baldwin Beene and Jesse Herman Beene on Sunday, August 13, 1944, in Gorman, Texas but grew up in Nacogdoches. He attended Nacogdoches High School and Stephen F. Austin State University. There he met the love of his life, Sarah Duncan, in the SFA band. He and Sarah finished their education at the University of Houston, with John graduating with degrees in Chemistry and Physics. He worked for Kennecott Copper and Monsanto Chemical companies, but the majority of his career was spent as a Forensics Scientist, solving crimes for the State of Texas.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time working on his beloved farm, but Jesus came first, and his family a close second. The church choir was one of the greatest joys of his life, and he was a faithful member of the choirs at Friendly Baptist Church and then Green Acres Baptist Church, where he could be counted on to be there every time the doors were open. He was also a member John Stroud’s Sunday School Class and helped to prepare for the Lord’s Supper. He loved to work, and worked to relax, and found joy working on the farm. He was known to be able to fix anything, and was a genius who held multiple patents, though he was too humble to talk about it. He had a heart for widows and orphans and lived out James 1:27, volunteering for the Green Acres Baptist Church Ramp Crew Ministry. That was John Beene: he was wise, steadfast, and stable; a servant-leader who was found faithful by every single person who relied on him, from his coworkers, to his church, to his neighbors, and most of all, his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, much loved step-father Roy Lavon Sitton, in-laws George and Eunice Duncan, and grandson John Caleb Barry, who was named for him.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sarah Duncan Beene of Tyler, daughters Meredith Beene, Melissa Ford, and Betsy Barry and son-in-law Shannon Barry of Tyler, grandchildren Katie Ford of Lubbock; Joshua Barry, Annie Ford, Micah Barry, Jesse Barry, and Susie Taylor of Tyler; brother and sister-in-law James and Carol Beene of Nacogdoches; sister Barbara Jerol Willis, ten nieces and nephews; close friends Dave Wood of Carthage, Preston Hunt of Troup; Robert and Lou Ann Arnett, Gary Kizer, Keith Pridgen, David Nelson and John Stroud of Tyler; and Robert Colle of Trawick.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel, 1607 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701, Thursday, March 3rd at 4:00pm. Visitation with the family will begin at 3:00. Private interment service will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Green Acres Baptist Church Ramp Crew Ministry at 1607 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701 or the ARC of Smith county.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lloydjamesfuneralhome.com for the Beene family.