Jon Stuart Beaty

Jon was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his sister, Jane McNellis-Wilson and brother-in-law, Jack Wilson, both of Lakewood, CO, his step-brothers and step-sister, Catherine Johnson, of Tacoma, WA, Patrick Humphres of Puyallup, WA, William Humphres of Post Falls, ID, his daughter Diana Cone and son-in-law Spencer Cushing both of Oregon City, OR, and his nieces Kate Green of Morrison, CO, and Emily Kotas, of Denver, CO. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Hazel Cone and Haldon Cushing, and three great-nieces and one great-nephew, Sam Kotas, Ava Green, Ellie Green, and Teeny Kotas. Jon also leaves behind countless dearly-loved friends who were family to him.

Jon grew up in Yakima, Walla Walla, and Olympia, WA. He had many fond memories from his childhood with his sister and many cousins, playing on his grandparents wheat ranch in Milton Freewater, OR. He both entertained and terrified his beloved sister with his elaborate games and practical jokes on the ranch.

After the family relocated to Aurora, IL, Jon graduated from West Aurora High School in 1966, with honors. He took a very serious interest in music during this time, playing Bassoon in concert wind ensembles and orchestras, and taking the role of leader of the high school marching band. Jon had many friends who were musicians in Aurora, and they would read Chamber works together, which he especially enjoyed. After high school, starting in 1966, Jon attended University of Oregon in Eugene, OR, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He was president of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, in his senior year. Jon planned to attend medical school, but he was likely to be drafted to the conflict in Vietnam, which he objected to on moral and political grounds. He found his best option would be to join the Peace Corps and began in 1970 with language, cultural, and teacher training in Ghana, including learning the

Asante Twi and Fantsi dialects. He was posted to Mfantsiman Secondary School in Saltpond, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, where he taught up to 27 class periods per week. Jon was inspired by the hard work of his students and poured his efforts into effective lesson and exam planning. Jon found, while teaching lessons in advanced biology, that he had a great interest in the molecular mechanisms that make living cells work, which led him to his graduate work at the Department of Microbiology at Oregon State University in 1974. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1982 from OSU.

In 1986, Jon moved to Seattle, WA, to pursue a research fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In 1988, he took a position at the Virginia Mason Research Center (since 1999 Benaroya Research Institute). Jon’s research focused on transcriptional mechanisms regulating HLA gene expression. He discovered that altered expression of certain HLA gene variants can influence the activation of immune cells that are responsible for killing insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This kind of diversity in the regulatory control of HLA gene expression could explain why specific gene variants predispose to development of type 1 diabetes whereas protect from it. Most recently in his career, Jon was an Associate Director Medical Science Liaison with the Cardio-Renal team at Boehringer Ingelheim since 2006. He led several scientific projects and was the Clinical Trial lead for innovative cardiovascular medication. Jon’s social insight enabled development of customer relation tools that are now shared across the company, and his facility as a mentor for new hires helped expand the vital MSL team. His dedication to peer-to-peer relationships was valued by many medical and scientific experts across Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and beyond, allowing him to act as the MSL lead for multiple scientific congresses nationally and internationally. Jon had a deep passion for physicians and patients that shone brightly in the enthusiasm with which he helped bring life-changing, life-saving medications to those who would benefit most. Jon was a treasured peer and colleague, and a genuine friend to the many who had the honor of working alongside him.

Jon lived on Capitol Hill for the remainder of his life, and in 2016 he purchased a home in a historic Anhalt building, which he spent much time designing to his exquisite taste. He was a great admirer of art and the processes behind it, and supported many local artisans and galleries in his selection of objects to adorn his space. He was an outdoor enthusiast who followed many adventurous pursuits with great friends, on whitewater canoeing and backcountry telemark skiing trips. Jon’s friends can attest to his practical joking nature, and can recall high jinks and stories in which he would bring a room to tears of laughter. To the delight of his grandchildren and great-nieces and great-nephew, he was a champion ghost-story-teller and magician.

Jon was a phenomenal human being, who made true and lasting connections with everyone he met. He had a fantastic memory for detail, a genuine interest in people, impeccable listening skills, and a truly respectful, kind, and compassionate nature, all of which made people feel so important and loved by him. Jon’s passing has left an empty place in the hearts of his family and friends, but he has also left a tremendous love in our hearts to be further shared with the world in his honor.

In Loving Memory of Jon Stuart Beaty

Please join us for a celebration of his life on

Saturday, June 28, 2025 - From 2pm-5pm

At Olympia Country & Golf Club

3636 Country Club Drive NW Olympia, Washington 98502

We invite you to bring your stories and memories to share. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, and beverages will be provided. Kindly RSVP to Jane at jmcnellis1@hotmail.com or 720-203-6860