I was born on September 9th, 1926 in Richmond, Indiana. Walter and Lucille Beeson were my parents. He was a farmer who died from pneumonia in 1937. My mother then moved us from the farm to Richmond where she provided a safe and happy environment for me without any participation or intrusion by any governmental or charitable organization.
I skipped the twelfth grade and was accepted into the Navy V-12 college program and sent to Notre Dame for my pre-medical studies. I received my Medical Degree from Indiana Med. School in 1949, being the youngest member of my class - somebody had to be.
The week after graduating, I married Margaret Ruesenberg who was a dietitian at the medical complex. I adored her for fifty-two years - plus. We had five splendid children:
Dr. Dan Beeson of Thomasville, Ga. Sheila Russell of Lisle, II.
Shelley Wheeler of Jamestown, N. C. Rick Beeson of Jacksonville, Fl. Dr. Tim Beeson of Martinez, Ga.
From these were derived nine special grandchildren, and a bunch of great grandchildren.
Following graduation I was accepted into an internship at the Bremerton Naval Hospital in Washington state, followed by an Anesthesiology residency at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville. At that time my position was in the only approved Anesthesiology residency in all of Florida. Incipient Med. Schools had yet to graduate their first class in Florida then.
I was recalled into the Navy in 1951 in mid-residency, serving at Jacksonville Naval Hospital, downtown recruiting, and as ship's physician on the USS Thomas Jefferson out of San Francisco.
I was able to resume and finish my residency in Jacksonville at the end of my (third) Navy tour and entered private practice in Jax in 1954.
I was a pioneer in the advancement of Anesthesiology in Jacksonville, serving as Departmental Chairman at three different hospitals at one time or another. I was one of many who purchased the land on which Memorial Hospital was built. I was active in The Duval County Medical Society, The Florida Society Of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Being a valedictorian, "Physician of the Year", "Distinguished Service Award" recipient and various other attaboys were nice but I would rather be remembered as an honorable man who appreciated the myriad blessings that came his way. By the way, it's more important to love than to be loved.
I enjoyed exceptionally good health, with one notable exception, since you're reading this.
Margaret passed in 2002. I had retired in 1996 to be able to be a better care giver for her. Subsequently, Rebecca Baldwin, a long-time dear friend and a widow, took me on as her project of my having remedial depression. Due to divine intervention, I was amazed that I suddenly adored her. I didn't "adore" early or often. We were married in 2003 and the happiness she brought me was incalculable — immeasurable — unbelievable. I came to love her children and grandchildren as my own, whom I indeed did love.
She led me back to my Episcopal roots and I became a communicant at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.
I enjoyed cruising, the North Carolina mountains, and writing books. In 2011 I authored "Death in the Recovery Room", which rapidly rose to the top of "The Worst Seller" list. I wrote eighteen more books which were equally popular.
I was a Rotarian and an active member of The San Jose Country Club. I enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, Jax Jaguars, nature, my diminishing pool of old friends and life in general.
WOW! Have I ever been blessed! I depart with malice toward none.
Enough about me. Jimmy Stewart wasn't the only one to lead a "Wonderful Life". Jimmy Beeson did too.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The San Jose Country Club on Friday, August 27th at 1:30 pm. Masks are kindly requested.
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