KENNETH THOMAS BEASLEY
July 30, 1932-Sept. 9, 2016
Kenneth Thomas Beasley, 84, Wilmington, went home to be with Jesus at approximately 10:10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center located at Wilmington, N.C.
Mr. Beasley was born July 30, 1932, in Wayne County, N.C., son of the late Willie Crooms Beasley and Willie Louisa Whitfield Beasley.
His wife of 60 years, Bessie Mae Outlaw Beasley; son-in-law, Donald Vance Bohannon II; and his two brothers, Jennings Elmer Beasley and Norwood Jackson Beasley; preceded him in death.
He is survived by his son, Eugene Thomas Beasley and wife, Laura Ann Ray Beasley; daughter, Glenda Diane Beasley Bohannon; four grandchildren, Donald Vance Bohannon III, Stephanie Diane Bohannon, Daniel Thomas Beasley and Phillip Kenneth Beasley all of Wilmington, N.C.; his sister, Fannie Lou Beasley Whitfield; his brother, Willis Marshall Beasley both of Wayne County, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
His personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his family were of paramount importance to him. His life was devoted to the support and nurture of his family.
He was a 1951 graduate of Seven Springs High School in Wayne County.
Mr. Beasley pursued a lateral entry career in vocational education after his initial training and work experience as a machinist with General Electric Corp.
He was also a veteran, who was proud of service to his country. His first experience with the military was with the United States Army, where he advanced to the rank of corporal, and served in the medical corps at Fort Jackson, S.C.
His army experience concluded with an honorable discharge.
He then enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, where he eventually retired with the rank of petty officer first class. Because of his training and skill as a machinist, he was rated by the USNR as machine repairman first class. He served for 18 years with the Naval Reserve.
This was in addition to his two years of service with the United States Army for a total of 20 years in service to his country.
During his time with the Naval Reserve, he was involved with his reserve unit in Wilmington with the preparation of the battleship USS North Carolina as a memorial for the public to view and to tour.
His career as an educator included work as a vocational instructor with the North Carolina Community College System and as a vocational teacher with the North Carolina public schools.
His final teaching assignment was that of a vocational teacher with the United States Marine Corps Dependents Schools at Camp LeJeune, N.C., where he eventually retired.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at Andrews Market Street Chapel.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, also at Andrews Market Street Chapel, with the Rev. Francis Daniel officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, N.C., 28401.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 11, 2016 12:36 PM