Barry Bernard Beeson, age 83, of McKinney, Texas, passed away August 6, 2016. He was born July 18, 1933 in Topeka, Kansas, to Clyde and Thelma (McCord) Beeson. Barry proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. On April 5, 1958, he married Erma Bateman in Fredonia, Kansas. He sang in many barbershop quartets, and was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Barry was a past President of the McKinney Lions Club and served as governor of Lion District 2E2.
Barry was a lifelong private pilot and flight instructor, and was awarded the Wilbur Wright Award for fifty years of incident-free flying. He, and his brother Jim, ran Beeson Aviation during the 1960’s in Topeka, Kansas; it was one of the first scheduled air charter services in the country. He worked for 37 years for Sears in credit systems, in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, California and Illinois.
Barry is survived by his wife, Erma Beeson of McKinney, Texas; children, James Beeson and wife Jonnie also of McKinney, Texas, Ann Beeson and husband Robert Kimzey of Austin, Texas; brother, James C. Beeson and wife Glenda of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Heidi Anderson of Dallas, Texas, Brandon Beeson, Spencer Smith, Miranda Beeson all of McKinney, Texas, and Oscar Kimzey of Austin, Texas.
Barry is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Thelma Beeson, and sister, Mary Beeson Harris.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm., Saturday, August 13, 2016 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in McKinney, Texas.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 511 Foote Street, McKinney, Texas 75069, (972)562-1166.