Carroll Wesley Beale

After a patient and obedient wait, Carroll Wesley Beale was called to his Lord on April 22, 2014, in Marble Falls, Texas. He was born in Republic, Missouri, on February 9, 1917, to Clara Roberson and Robert Otis Beale. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, sister Clara Irene Lee, and by the love of his life Virginia Ruth Sikes. Carroll moved to Aurora, Missouri, with his family in 1929. He was a graduate of Aurora High School and studied one year at Missouri Valley College. After his time in college, Carroll was employed by the post office in Aurora. This was the beginning of a 40-year career in the postal service, principally as a Rural Letter Carrier. During that time, he served as the president of the 6th District Missouri Rural Letter Carriers’ Association and four years on the Missouri RLCA state board.

Carroll was a people person, gregarious, always interested in other people’s lives and ever sensitive to those in need. His life was one full of devotion and service to his family, church, community, and youth activities. He was awarded the coveted Silver Beaver Award for his work with the Boy Scouts and the Community Service Award by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for outstanding and dedicated service. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Aurora where he served as Deacon, Sunday school director, and Sunday school teacher for the intermediates, high school students, and adults. Carroll also sang tenor in the church choir and served as radio broadcast chairman. His public service covered a broad spectrum including serving on the Aurora Board of Education, the city planning commission, the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce, and as a director of the Ozark Regional Heart Association. For many years, he was instrumental in the planning of the Aurora School carnival. In 1976, he served as chairman of the “Auroran’s for 76” Bicentennial Commission and was instrumental in constructing and dedicating the bicentennial pavilion in Aurora Crosby Park. He was a member of the United Commercial Travelers (UCT) and served as Grand Counselor (State President) of the Missouri Grand Council in 1970 and Supreme Chaplain of the International UCT in 1972. He was a 61-year member of The Masonic Lodge in Aurora and a member of the Blazing Star Lodge 413 in Marble Falls, Texas. He was a member of the Lions Club for 69 years, serving as local president in Aurora and as deputy district governor of district 26E in Missouri. In 1975-76, he was presented “Lion of the Year” by the Aurora Lions Club. Carroll was a member of the Marble Falls Noon Lions Club where he often was called to install new members. After retirement, Carroll continued his service to others by delivering Meals on Wheels for 20 years.

Carroll enjoyed music and was an active musician throughout his life, beginning in early youth and continuing throughout his senior years. He played the trumpet in his high school band and in the National Guard in the Missouri Guard Unit. He sang in his high school and college chorus, the church choir, and various kinds of public performances. He started a community band, The Rinky Dinks, using only homemade instruments. They were quite a hit entertaining in southwest Missouri and even traveling to Dolly Parton’s Dogwood in Arkansas. Carroll’s military service began with his enlistment in the Missouri National Guard as a musician playing in the band from 1935 to 1939. He entered into active duty in January of 1945, going to Army basic training, infantry training, and officer candidate school, culminating in being commissioned as second lieutenant in October of 1945. After his commissioning, he was assigned overseas to Wurzbach, Germany, serving as an officer in the base postal service. He returned from overseas in October of 1946 and was subsequently released from active duty. He then served in the Reserves until 1956, achieving the rank of Captain. He was active in the American Legion for 67 years, particularly in Post ABC 126, which granted him a life membership for his contributions. During those years, Carroll faithfully organized events and the Bingo games.

Carroll eloped with his high school sweetheart, Virginia Ruth Sikes, and they were married on September 15, 1937. They shared 73 years of love and devotion. They were widely traveled in the United States, Canada, and Europe. While they had many memorable trips, they particularly enjoyed visiting daughter, Carolyn, in England and daughter, Mary Beth, in Italy and Hawaii. Their travel came to an end in 2002 when macular degeneration deprived Carroll of his eyesight. In 1992, Virginia and Carroll purchased a home in Blue Lake Estates located in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Initially they were “snowbirds”, but in 1997, they moved to Texas permanently. They joined the Church of Horseshoe Bay and quickly became active in the Blue Lake community as service volunteers and avid golfers. Carroll served on the board of the Blue Lake Golf Club and rarely missed a day of play or work on the course. Throughout his years of golfing, he scored two “holes in one”. They were the high points of his golfing pleasure. Carroll’s last years were enriched by continuing the one thing he had always loved…singing. Even though he couldn’t see the music or the words, Carroll memorized and sang with the Highland Lakes Men’s Chorus until the age of 95. Since his life’s motto was to be of service to others, singing in the chorus made him feel he was helping and loving his neighbor. He loved calling his friends over the phone and singing “Happy Birthday” to them. Carroll’s recent years were full of walks in the neighborhood talking to his friends and neighbors and listening to his “Talking Books” tapes.

Carroll is survived by two daughters, Carolyn and her husband Gilbert K. St.Clair of Georgetown, and Mary Beth Beale of Horseshoe Bay, a step-grandson Grant St.Clair, three great- grandchildren, Geoffrey, Vicki, and Nicole St.Clair, two great- great grandchildren, Alexis and Gaige St.Clair, and a nephew Dr. David A. Lee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or The Church at Horseshoe Bay: P.O. Box 8295, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, at 1:00, at the Church at Horseshoe Bay, under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls, Texas. Inurnment will be Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at 10 a.m. in Aurora, Missouri, at the Maple Park Cemetery.