Clifford Beeks

Clifford H. Beeks Clifford "Cliff" H. Beeks, retired Lt. Colonel, 66, passed away March 1, 2009, after a courageous battle with lymphoma. Cliff was born January 9, 1943 to Clifford and Irene Leupp Beeks in Bismarck, ND. He attended grade and high school in Washburn, ND. His father taught him to fly, which enabled him to get his student pilot license at 16 and his private pilot license at 17. He attained a degree in geology and a masters degree in business from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He joined the United States Air Force in 1967 and served our country until his retirement on July 31, 1991. His military career took him to various bases which included St. Louis, MO, Hickam AFB, HI, Minot AFB, ND, Dobbins AFB, Marietta, GA, NATO-Turkey and Eglin AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. He accepted a position as an Environmental Engineer at the atomic plant in Piketon, where he worked until his death. Cliff met his wife Bernita (Bea) Hilz in Bismarck, ND and they were married on May 5, 1968. They were blessed with two children, Alan (Christina) Beeks, of Jacksonville, FL and Andrea (Sean) Powell, of Columbus, OH and the light of his life, a grandson, Brandon Beeks. Also surviving are two brothers, Paul (Janet) Beeks, Twin Falls, ID and Donald (Anita) Beeks, of Lakeside City, TX; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Beeks, of Washburn, ND and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Claudette and Eileen and a brother, William "Bill" Beeks. He was an avid Chillicothe Paints fan and his involvement as a host parent brought many friendships into his life, in which two have remained very special: Woody Fullenkamp and Stephen Byrd. He was active in the Chillicothe Lions Club, Paints Booster Club, and Calvary Lutheran Church. His hobbies included stamp collecting, photography, traveling, bird watching, and his love of trains and planes brought him much enjoyment. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Friday in Calvary Lutheran Church, Rev. John Kindsvatter officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following in the church Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity, or to Calvary Lutheran Church, 74 W. Main St., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
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