“Beach” died recently at his home in Plano, Texas with his devoted wife of 22 years, Madelyn, at his side.  He’ll be sorely missed by his friends, and especially so by his beloved Yorkies, “Toby” and “Missy”.  Beach served in the Navy from 1943 through 1945.  After six years he enlisted in the Air Force where he nurtured the SAC’s formidable B-36 and B-52 bombers until 1971.  He retired to Muskogee, Oklahoma and obtained a B.S. in Psychology/Sociology from Northeastern State College and later in 1987 retired from the State of Oklahoma. 

Beach had some unique talents and interests.  He crafted beautiful model ships, was a credible trombonist, and a fabulous cook.  He enjoyed old movies, and relaxing with a good book.  He’d fondly recall old Air Force friends, (Art Warner was a favorite), and old duty bases (even remote and frigid Minot AFB had its unique appeal). The redoubtable “Bobi” (Richard and Jeff’s late mother) remained special to his being.  While living in Muskogee he’d meet his dentist and good friend George Blaylock at Boom-A-Rang Café, and over a sausage and gravy biscuit breakfast they would resolve the world’s most vexing and intractable problems.

Beach was preceded in death by Bobi (1978), his mother, Iva (2000); his father, J.B. (1936) his brother, Lester (1990), and granddaughter, Deborah Sikes (2002).

Mr. Beachboard is survived by wife, Madelyn of Plano, TX; son, Jeffery of Stigler, Oklahoma; son, Richard and wife, Becky of Muskogee, OK, together with grandson, Kyle and great-grandson, Ryder.  Also, his daughter, Caroline Reottger and husband, Lloyd of Oklahoma City, OK together with grandchildren, Julie, Laura and Matthew Hall; As well as his stepson, Jim Sikes and wife Eva of Frisco, TX; step-granddaughter, Ericka Homer and husband, John of Plano, TX together with grandchildren, Quinn, Cameron, and Zachary; also surviving are Bobi’s bothers Carl Joe and Jim of Stigler, OK.

A memorial service with Navy Honors will be held at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Oklahoma at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 16th, 2009. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent in Beach’s honor to the American Cancer Society or one’s favorite charity. 

The Beachboard family would like to extend a special thanks to the Staff of Lion Hospice including the Chaplains, Cyndi Green, Cyndi Wagley, Cyndi Shen, Sandy Martens and Kathryn Cyr for their loving and compassionate care for “Beach”.