Dr. Wyont B. Bean Jr.

Brigadier General and Dr. Wyont B. Bean Jr. was born on July 13, 1936, in Atlanta, Georgia, son of Brigadier General Wyont B. Bean Sr. and Emma Agnes (Estes) Bean of 979 Eden Avenue, Atlanta. He attended Anne E. West School in East Atlanta, and was a 1953 graduate of Georgia Military Academy (GMA) in Atlanta.

Following graduation from GMA, he attended Georgia Tech, studying architecture, while working as a draftsman for Gulf Oil Company, in Atlanta.

In 1953, he was sworn in to the Georgia Army National Guard as a private by his father, (Commander of the 179th Field Artillery of the Georgia Army Guard at that time). In 1957, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the guard, and attended Artillery Officer training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. In 1959, he was assigned to "D" Battery of the 179th.

During this time he became interested in Chiropractic, and following his Artillery training, attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa and served during his Palmer days with the Iowa National Guard. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic on December 28th, 1962. He served as president of the Georgia Club of the student body in 1961.

Upon his return to Atlanta, Dr. Bean began a distinguished Chiropractic career, and maintained an active and successful practice in the metro Atlanta area for over 50 years. In the 1980's he served as President of District 1 of the Georgia Chiropractic Association. Active in local affairs throughout his life, he served as President of the local Optimist Club chapter, became an active Freemason and Shriner, and ran in 1968 for Post 4, District 75 of the Dekalb County Legislature. He was also a member of the Dekalb County Sheriff's Posse for many years.

Dr. Bean's concurrent career in the National Guard continued as well, as he was promoted to the rank of Captain and took command of "D" Battery of the 179th Artillery in 1964, leading "D" to win the Army Artillery competition, 48th Armoried Division, Ft. Stewart, Ga in 1965. In 1966, he was promoted again to Major and assigned to Battalion Staff duty. In 1967, the 179th was disbanded and its personnel were re-organized into the 122nd Support Center-Rear Area Operations Command (RAOC) in Decatur, GA. Major Bean continued in a staff role within the command until his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1980, upon which he took Command of the 122nd. In 1983, Lt Col Bean and a six man team from the 122nd participated in "WintEx" operational exercises with the regular Army in Stuttgart, W. Germany- a first of its kind collaboration that helped establish doctrine for Army Guard involvement in regular Army rear-area operations documents published in 1985.

He was re-assigned in 1984 to command of the State Recruiting Division, and promoted to Colonel in 1985. He retired from the Army National Guard in 1986, and was promoted to Brigadier General.

As a Chiropractor, Dr. Bean's practice and experience grew throughout his years of practice, as he moved his practice first to East Atlanta, then Gresham Park, and Tucker throughout the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. A lifelong student and teacher, he continued to acquire new expertise, and pass it on to new Chiropractors. He became Director of Clinics and Chairman of the Department of Clinical Sciences at Life College of Chiropractic in 1977, and taught several curriculum courses. In the late 1980's he became involved with B.E.S.T technique and its founder Dr. M.T. Morter of Arkansas.

In 1991, Dr. Bean went on to become an Instructor, and later the first Master Instructor of B.E.S.T technique and taught the techniques across the country and around the world, devoting eleven months of 2008 in China to a Life University-sponsored exchange with the Chinese health care community, working and teaching in a hospital setting. Upon his return he joined the staff of Ragland Chiropractic Center in Winder, Georgia, where he continued his practice.

Dr. Bean's hobbies were too numerous to mention except for his love of flying. In his spare time he devoted the hours required to obtain a private pilot's license. He was both instrument and commercial multi-engine rated. He became a member of an exclusive group. His love for flying led him to the purchase of several planes he flew as often as possible, but none of the planes could compare to the love he had for "Miss Baby", his Cessna 210 (N3949Y). If he flew her everyday of the year, he would say he wished he could fly even more. Truly, she was a beauty in the sky and he loved her.

Dr. Bean is survived by his wife, Suzanne, whom he affectionately called Suzie, and his extended family of seven children-Jennifer, Bill, Dana, Carole, Nancy, Missy, and Steve. He is grandfather to 9 grandchildren-Abigail, Lauren, Christina, Nicole, Jessi, Shelby, Austin, Lance, and Faith.

Pheeewww! What a life!