Charles Gerald Beasley, 85, of Burnet died Feb. 18, 2016
Charles “Charlie” Gerald Beasley, 85, of Delaware Springs in Burnet passed away Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, surrounded by his wife, four children and other family members.
Charlie was born in San Antonio on Oct. 22, 1930, to Ross and Wilhelmina “Willie Mae” Bickenbach Beasley. The Beasleys were a pioneer ranching family in Kimble County.
He was raised in Junction, where he played football and tennis, participated in FFA and rodeo, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1952 with a degree in agriculture economics, Charlie went into the Air Force as a lieutenant, serving for two years. He continued his military service in the Air Force Reserves until he was honorably discharged with the rank of major.
In 1954, Charlie moved to Uvalde, where he met the love of his life, Marion Arthur. The couple married on Jan. 28, 1956, at First United Methodist Church with a reception following in the Rooster Room at the Kincaid Hotel.
Charlie’s career in the insurance business began with a job offer from Fort Worth “Chief” Calvert. Charlie later joined longtime business partner Bert McNelly to form Beasley and McNelly Insurance. Charlie was a life member of the industry’s Million Dollar Round Table and the Texas Leaders Round Table. In 1982, he was enshrined as a member of the Banker’s Life Hall of Fame.
Active in his community, Charlie was a member of the Uvalde Lions Club, the Uvalde Area Development Foundation, the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce Board, the UCISD School Board, and the American Red Cross Board. He was a Ruling Elder of First Presbyterian Church and a Master Mason for over 50 years.
Marion and Charlie raised their five children in Uvalde, spending a great deal of family time in nearby Rio Frio and later in Concan, where they retired. In the late ’90s, the couple relocated to Burnet to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Kennon “Dude” Jarvis and Weldon Beasley; mother-in-law, Lucille Arthur; daughter Rebecca; and grandson Davis Ward.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion Beasley; children Paige Lechler and husband Jim of Marble Falls, Casey Beasley and wife Brenna of Driftwood, Doug and Jennifer Phillips of Round Rock, and Mike Beasley of Castroville; grandchildren Luke Lechler and wife Megan of San Antonio, Abbie Floyd and husband Brad of Carrollton, Lucie Blye and husband Adam of Cedar Park, Zach Lechler of Austin, Jack and Russell Beasley of Driftwood, Charli Phillips and fiancé Andrew Roberts of Round Rock, Patton Phillips and fiancée Victoria Gandara of College Station, Trevor Ward of College Station, Anna Claire, Chloe Mae, Sarabeth, and J.W. Beasley of Castroville; great-grandchildren, Cash, Bella, Thomas and James Lechler of San Antonio, Andrew and Ashley Floyd of Fort Worth, and Kason Blye of Cedar Park; sister-in-law Debbie Desormeaux and husband Brian of Austin; niece Martha Richardson and husband Walt of Austin; and nephew John Charles Jarvis and wife Cheryl of Carbondale, Illinois.
Honorary pallbearers are Paul Blackburn, John Jarvis, Tommy Leonard, Dana Nunley, Brad Floyd, Adam Blye, Zach Lechler, Andrew Roberts, Jack Beasley, Russell Beasley, Trevor Ward, and J.W. Beasley.
A celebration of life is 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at the House Pasture, 2 N. River Road in Concan, 25 miles north of Uvalde (housepature.org). A time of fellowship will follow the service. Casual attire is requested, but Aggie attire preferred.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South Central Texas Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) — either online at www.jdrf.org or by mail at 8700 Crown Hill Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78209 — in honor of Charlie’s great-grandson Thomas Lechler; or to the Livestrong Foundation at livestrong.org in honor of Charlie’s granddaughter Charli Phillips.
Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222. Go to clementswilcoxburnet.com to offer condolences.