John Beaman

LCDR John Hart Beaman, USN (Ret)

September 1, 1918 – April 15, 2010

John Hart (“Jack”) Beaman went home to heaven, April 15, 2010.  He was 91, and died of natural causes.  He was residing in Kirkland, Washington.

He was born to Addie and C. Lester Beaman on September 1, 1918.  He was the youngest of four children.

He was a strong, gentle man who was devoted to his wife Betty, his stepsons, son, daughter and grandsons; his extended family, friends and his country.  He never hesitated to be there for all of them.

Like his father, Jack was born and raised in Marysville, Washington and also lived in Clear Lake and Everett.  Jack spent the summer before his senior year in high school working at the CCC Camp in Darrington, Washington.  As a senior, he played for the Marysville High School football team.

Upon high school graduation in 1936, Jack did a four year enlistment in the Navy which ended shortly before the US involvement in WWII started.  He served on the USS California and got to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge while it was still under construction.  In 1938, Jack got to be on the maiden cruise of the USS Savannah which took him to Cuba, Haiti and England.  He got to be there when Chamberlain returned to London exclaiming “Peace in our time!”

He was immediately recalled into the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Later, he was accepted to flight training and earned his wings and commission as an Ensign in 1944. The announcement of his commissioning made the front page of the August 24, 1944, Marysville Globe, complete with a picture.  He flew submarine patrol missions during the war.

After the war, the Navy sent him to the University of Washington to study math and physics.  While there in Seattle, he met and married the lovely 25 year-old Lois Daniels in June 1948.  Soon thereafter they flew off to Jack’s new assignment in Hawaii.  Tragically, however, Lois contracted polio and lost her battle with it on March 20, 1949, in Honolulu.

Jack was transferred to Patuxent River Naval Air Station where he was one of the aviators to take a group of four US Senators from the Senate Appropriations Committee around the world.  The October to December 1949 trip took them to Europe, the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Japan, and various Pacific Islands.

Jack was sent to the Line School in Monterey, California in 1950 for more studies.  While in California, he met and married beautiful Betty Sprowls. Later, he was a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida; then sent for additional advance training in Chicago, Illinois.  From 1954 -55 his squadron was deployed on the USS Badoeng Strait.

In 1956, Jack was sent to Kansas to learn how to fly jets and break the sound barrier.  His squadron then went on to qualify the A3D twin engine bomber for carrier landing.  It is still the largest plane to take off and land on an aircraft carrier.  The squadron then was assigned to the USS Bon Homme Richard which cruised to Hong Kong in 1957.

During Jack’s flight training days, he became life-long friends with three other men and their families.  Like Jack, they are men with humility in their strength and talent.

In 1958, Jack and the family moved from Coronado to Buena Park, California.  Jack was assigned to the Navy office at Douglas Aircraft in El Segundo.  There, he was the test pilot for the A3D Program.

The Navy career lasted 26 years upon Jack’s retirement in 1963.  He went on to serve as a environmental test team manager for the aerospace company North American (Rockwell), on the Apollo Program and on the Space Shuttle.  In 1966 the family moved to Huntington Beach.  He retired from his aerospace career in 1983.

Jack and Betty were true soulmates.  They were amazing cooks and gardeners.  They loved to gather with friends for dinner or just a simple cocktail hour on the patio.  In retirement, the two found time to travel and make a number of trips to Hawaii.  Jack was widowed again in 1991, when Betty lost her battle with lung cancer.

Jack returned to Washington in 1998, with his daughter’s family; living in Redmond and later, Kirkland.

The magnificent John Hart Beaman, loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend, is survived by his stepson Robert Wright, Jr.; son Charles L. Beaman, daughter Melinda Beaman Tyler, and grandsons Jeffry Wright, Michael Beaman, John Tyler and David Tyler.   He taught his children and grandchildren how to love unconditionally and gave them an example of how deep a father’s love could be.  He will be sorely missed.

Memorial service arrangements are private.  Interment will be at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, California.

Teri Yamada

Teri Yamada passed away on Monday, June 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington, at 50 years young.  A long-time Sammamish resident, Teri was the much loved daughter of Sue and Tom Epperson.  She grew up in Aberdeen, WA with her sister, Cathy, and graduated from St. Martin’s College in Lacey (go Saints!).  There she met the man of her dreams, Ross Yamada, and together they shared 22 years of marriage.  The very best part of this union and her greatest joy was their two wonderful children, 16 year old Evan and 12 year old Tessa.

Teri will be deeply missed not only by her immediate family but by the legions of friends she leaves behind:  the school community in Sammamish, the Crossfire Soccer Club coaches/parents and players, special girlfriends, wonderful neighbors, her children’s friends/teammates and parents, all of her co-workers at Northwest Framing and everyone who had the privilege of calling her their friend.

Teri will always be remembered for her quick wit and ability to make us laugh!  Her stories and her sense of humor will help keep the memory of her with us forever.  She fought her short but fierce battle with cancer with a smile and a joke.  And if you needed something done, it was typically Teri to the rescue. Teri could schedule a soccer field, coordinate a carpool or balance a PTSA budget with the best of them.

Teri is survived by her husband, Ross, their children Evan and Tessa, her parents, Tom and Sue Epperson, her sister Cathy Rockwood  (husband Stan) and their children Peyton, Meghan and Jade, her in-laws Tom and Mildred Yamada and her sister-in-law Maryle Tracy (husband Pat) and their children John and Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make remembrances to the Teri Yamada Memorial Fund PMB 774 Sammamish, WA   98074   (this is the Mail Post next to Sammamish Safeway)

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 9 at 4:00 pm at Clise Mansion in Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA.  Following a brief service, friends and family are welcome to share stories and memories and celebrate Teri’s life.  Please feel free to come in casual attire.

Rudolf “Rudi” Bisenz

Rudolf Bisenz passed away peacefully on June 19, 2010 at the age of 96.

Rudolf or “Rudi,” as he was most commonly known, was born on August 13, 1913 in Salzburg, Austria and spent his childhood in Vienna with his loving parents, Hedwig and David Bisenz.  Rudi left his native land in 1932 to emigrate to Palestine, where he was employed by the newly built King David Hotel in Jerusalem.  He was an avid tennis and soccer player.  He took the social scene by storm with his participation as saxophone player in a three piece band and as a skillful dancer.

Rudi married Susi, another ex-pat from Austria, and the newly weds were able to arrange passage to the United States, where they joined family in Charleston, South Carolina.  Soon after the birth of their only child, Eve, in 1948, they moved to New York City, where Rudi started Parkdale, a very high quality dry cleaning service. During its twenty-five years of operation,  Parkdale also became a community meeting place for many Forest Hills locals in response to Rudi’s warm, welcoming manner and sense of humor. After his retirement, Rudi and Susi were able enjoy extensive traveling, by air and sea, to a number of destinations, from China and Europe to the Americas and the Panama Canal.

In 2002, Rudi became a widower when Susi unexpectedly succumbed to liver damage associated with an illness she had contracted as a teenager. Rudi elected to continue to stay in New York City for as long as he was able, enjoying the companionship of  life long friends.  For the last year and a half of his life, Rudi lived in Bellevue, WA, close to his daughter and son-in-law.

Rita Colleen Flores

Rita -1st Birthday

Rita Colleen Flores was born on January 28, 1952. She was a daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. Always one to love a good joke, her sense of humor helped her to overcome many hardships. She was an avid bowler who could easily beat out the competition. She was always willing to go the extra mile to help out friends and family. She loved animals and would frequently take her friends’ dogs on walks around the neighborhood. Her life was filled with the love of her family and friends. She died on June 4, 2010, at the age of 58.

Memorial Service will take place on Friday 06/25/2010 at 4:00 – 7:00pm.
The service will be held at Barton Family Funeral Service, 11630 Slater Ave. NE, Suite 1A, Kirkland, WA 98034

Pat A. Preston

Pat A. Preston, Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend, is in Heaven. Pat was born to John and Elizabeth Taylor on August 3, 1934 in Kirkland, WA, and was the youngest of 15 children. Pat died on June 8, 2010, at home in Mill Creek, WA, surrounded by her family, one year and one week after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  Throughout Pat’s cancer journey, she was always peaceful, loving, filled with grace and was not afraid to die because she knew she would go to Heaven.  She inspired us all everyday.  Our family’s great comfort is knowing that Pat is experiencing eternal joy.

Pat’s favorite Bible verse was 1st Corinthians, Chapter 2, Verse 9, which reads: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on us, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

As Pat grew up, she loved cooking, baking, dancing and music.   Pat took several kinds of dance lessons during her life including ballet, square dancing, tap, jazz, hula and ballroom. She also played several musical instruments including guitar, organ, violin, accordion and piano.  When Pat’s children were small, they loved it when their Mom would turn on the radio and pick them up, one by one, and swing them around and dance with each of them.  Consequently, all of Pat’s children love music, dancing and singing.

Pat had a loving, generous, creative, high energy and delightfully talkative personality.  She also had a tremendous amount of life wisdom and depth, and was very sensitive.  She loved variety and being on the go.  She loved music boxes, all Disney movies and musicals, travelling in their RV and seeing all of the beautiful nature scenes that God created.

Pat was a meticulous, talented homemaker and also offered great support for her husband, Jerry, and his 40 year career at The Boeing Company. Pat’s greatest joy and her mission in life was raising her large family. Pat always wanted 12 children, but instead had 6 children (5 daughters and one son) in 7 years and all before she was 28 years old.  Pat and Jerry were extremely busy during their early married years, to say the least.  After all 6 of Pat’s children were married, she was thrilled because she finally had her 12 children.  She loves her daughter and sons-in-law as her own.

Pat leaves behind her husband, Jerry Preston of 56 years in Mill Creek, WA and her 12 children: Michelle & (Roger) Boler of Slidell, Louisiana; (John Patella) and Teresa Preston-Patella of Snohomish, WA; Becky and (Bob) Wallace of Windsor, CA; Tammy and (David) Huss of Redmond, WA; Jerry and (Caroline) Preston of Redmond, WA; and Pam and (Greg) Fisher of Kirkland, WA.  Pat also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 4 of their spouses and 1
great-grandchild.

Our Dearest Pat, Mom and Grandma, We love you so much and you will live on in our hearts forever.  We will see you again someday in Heaven.

Geraldine Noreen Bryant

Born  9/5/47, San Diego, CA

Passed Away  6/5/10,  Evergreen Hospice after a long battle with cancer.

She was part of homeward Pets for 19 years, First as a volunteer where she quickly became addicted to helping the homeless cats and dogs that came to the shelter, then as a staff person where she continued her dedication to the animals.  Geraldine and her husband fostered many kittens and puppies though the years and also adopted several.  They have travel the world, loved movies-old and new, music, history and so much more.  Geraldine lived an amazing life and will be truly missed. Survived by her husband of 40 years, Richard (Dick), her father Robert Hayes of Everett, and by brothers Robert of Renton, Bruce of Seattle, Douglas of Kent and by sisters Susan Thompson of Tukwila, and Julie Wilson of Everett.  In lieu of flowers please send remembrances to Homeward Pet Adoption Center.  P.O. Box 2293 Woodinville, WA  98072.  www.homewardpet.org

Roderick Richard Kirkwood

Roderick Richard Kirkwood was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Virginia, and his second wife, Sharon Kirkwood, to whom he was married 18 years.  Survived by his brothers, William Kirkwood of Casper Wyoming and Thomas Kirkwood of St. Paul, Minnesota, son, Roderick V. (Joan) Kirkwood,  daughter Carolyn S.(Evan)  Buehl,  step-sons Tyler  (Dominika) Fullerton, Troy (Gwendolyn) Fullerton and Todd (Zoila) Fullerton, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Recognized for his active role in the design and development aspect of the building industry for 56 years, of which 46 years were with John Graham and Co., Architects, Engineers and Planners.  He started a mechanical engineer, rising to partner and then president of John Graham and Co. in 1976.  He was active in the Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Rainer Club and International President of ASHRAE( American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) in 1973/74. He was most proud of his time spent as a design team member for the Space Needle.   He retired in 1998.  After retirement, he enjoyed time with his wife Sharon, traveling and pursuing his passions of naturopathic healing.

At this time his ashes will be interred together with his second wife, Sharon.  May they both rest in peace.

Paul Warner 1937 – 2010

A Brilliant Life

Kiddingly called The Data Whisperer, Paul Warner was an expert in designing Business Intelligence computer systems for some of the world’s largest corporations such as Microsoft where he was working as a Senior Database Architect/Analyst .Net developer until pulmonary fibrosis swiftly took him on May 29th.   This was the culmination of a lifelong quest to continually learn and create ways to help others solve problems.  As a youngster, he knew he wanted to become an Engineer.  Some memorable experiments were engines that ran on water which rusted before they blew up, a portable radio with antenna lining his bib overalls using the quartz crystal he found in the woods and harnessing lightening during rainstorms resulting in powerful electric arcs in his bedroom.  All were precursors to his potential and eventual successful career resulting in eight highly scientific patents for Fortune 500 corporations.

Paul was born in Elmhurst, IL the 6^th child of 7 to Virgil and Ruth Warner.  When he was 5 they moved to an extremely rural farm in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri.  This was like going back in time as they had no heat, running water or electricity.   The physical labor to do all things manually while attending a one room school house, created an extremely independent individual with an intense curiosity and drive to seek and make things happen.  As soon as he graduated from high school with honors, he immediately joined the Navy at the Great Lakes School for Engineers.  After four years of many adventures in the Pacific with Top Secret Clearance he was honorably discharged.   On the way home his train stopped in a town announcing college registration.  He got off and was accepted at Texas Christian University where he really enjoyed playing on the football team while teaching most of his own math classes.  A graduate degree in math and science from the University of Texas at Austin resulted in his first engineering job at Dukane.  He excelled and held several exciting and challenging positions including President of Northern Communications, VP of Engineering for Muzak/Westinghouse and Director of Advanced Development for Dow Jones & Co. 

 In 1991, it was time for a change in this workaholic’s life.   He and his wife Laurie purchased a business and property at the base of the Snowy Mountains in Laramie, Wyoming allowing Paul to build by hand their house on the prairie where they enjoyed horses and dogs and the freshest air one can find.  By 2000, Paul was working for Compuware in Milwaukee, WI becoming one of the cities’ most sought after consultants and where he designed 2 of his patents for real time vision control for the global printing company Quad Graphics.   Following the job trail, Salt Lake City, Utah was next where he worked for Rio Tinto and Zion’s Bank.  In 2008, he decided to move to Seattle to spend time with his two grandchildren while continuing to work, which you probably have guessed by now was actually fun for him.   

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laurie; his two sons from his first marriage Robert and Sam; two grandchildren; his older brothers Roscoe and Sidney, his sister Beverly Ann as well as many nieces and nephews and all of their children scattered across the Midwest.   At 6’5” tall and described as a gentle giant, Paul was a shy, unpretentious genius who preferred a life free of all things mundane.  His generous nature and constant positive encouragement to all who knew him will be sorely missed.

Mary Frances Spears

Mary Frances Spears passed away on May 30, 2010 at the age of 82 as the result of a massive stroke, and is now in the loving arms of God. She was born Mary Frances Bailey on July 25, 1927 in Spokane, WA, to David and Frances Bailey. She was an only child, and the delight of her parents. She attended North Central High School, and later Washington State University in Pullman, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in English Literature and Psychology.  It was here she  met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Spears, a returning WWII vet on the G.I. bill. They were married in 1949, and moved to Seattle, WA to accommodate Bob’s job with Boeing as an engineer.

In 1954 they welcomed a son, William (Bill), followed in 1957 by a daughter Linda. Mary loved being a mother, and made sure her children had all the advantages, protection, and love she could give them. She never relinquished this job, and later extended  it to include her son and daughter-in-law, whom she loved dearly. She was very creative, and fell in love with indoor and outdoor gardening, flower arranging and oriental décor. She became a very talented cook with a special flair for Italian cooking, which her family enjoyed thoroughly throughout the years.

In 1968 she and Bob moved to what is now Newcastle, and built their dream home overlooking Lake Washington. She designed and installed all the beautiful landscaping on the hillside site, especially delighting in her favorite rhododendrons. From her living room she never tired of watching the ever-changing view of the lake, and from here she fed her beloved feathered friends of all types. She was a consummate birder, with an especial affinity for owls, hummingbirds and loons. She was never without her field glasses, and every vacation included time for birding.

She loved to travel, starting with early camping trips with the kids to the ocean and the mountains. Later she and Bob took trips to farther destinations, touring almost every corner of the country and much of Canada. She especially loved Hawaii with all of the lush vegetation, flowers, and unique birds. But she always returned to the Washington and Oregon coast as her favorite destination.

She was an avid reader with a profound love of books. She worked as a librarian at various times in her life, but it could be said that she had her very own library at home, supplying reading material for all who came to her.  In support of her husband she also became a proficient golfer in mid-life, and insisted on encouraging her husband’s love of the game.  She even had a hole-in-one to her credit! Now every trip included golf clubs as well as field glasses.

She was an avid and knowledgeable fan of all of the Seattle sports teams, but was especially fond of the Mariners. She was staunchly conservative politically, and a devoted patriot with a deep love of country.  Although she eschewed most modern technology in favor of the more traditional ways of life, (“Give me a whale blubber lamp and a goose quill pen!”, she used to say) in her later years she embraced digital photography as a way of integrating all her interests in birds, gardening, and all aspects of nature and its beauty. Add the camera to the list of “never leave home withouts”.

She was always self-effacing and thoughtful, keeping in touch with old friends, never without a kind word or thought for everyone, generous with her charities, had a delightful sense of humor, and was a sentimental softie.

Mary is survived by her husband Bob of 62 years, her son Bill Spears and wife Anne (Lightfoot) of Bellevue, and daughter Linda Matson and husband Charles Matson of Enumclaw. We shall all miss her more than words can say. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. Mom, we know we’ll met again. We love you.

Mary’s ashes will be scattered on Lake Washington in a private ceremony.

Memorials can be made to CARE, at www.care.org, or The Nature Conservancy, at www.nature.org.

Jean Jenny

Jean Mansfield Jenny of Bellevue passed away peacefully on May 29, 2010 at the age of 89.  She was born in Yonkers, NY and attended Russell Sage College where she met her husband Robert Jenny.  They moved to Bellevue in 1955.  Jean earned her Master of Social Work degree in 1964 and had a private practice until her retirement.  She was a founder of Overlake Memorial Hospital and founded the Eastside Society of Clinical Social Workers.  She loved boating and swimming, gardening and grand-parenting.  She was pre-deceased by Robert (Sept. 09) and son Paul, and is survived by her daughters Robin Rothschild (Harvey), Heather Fandrich (Darrell), and grandchildren Wendy, Jay (Laura) and Marc (Elizabeth) Rothschild, Tasha Mikko (Doug) and Steffen Chambers, and great-grandchildren Henry, William, Colin and Graham.  A memorial for Jean and Rob will be held at 2pm Saturday, June 12 at Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club in Bellevue.

JEAN McKNIGHT

ELLA GENEVRA “JEAN”  McKNIGHT

Born in Butte, Montana May 25 1915 to Alice and Alfred Downs. Jean now is joined in heaven with, her daughter Jo Ann McKnight, brothers Mike & Jim Downs, & sisters Virginia Langworthy & Mary Greene, as well as her parents.

Jean is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rev. C. Joe McKnight, sisters Grace Jernigan (Bill) Federal Way, and Faith Ballenger (Steve) Montana, brothers Mike Downs of Montana, John Downs (Irene) of Auburn, Tim & David Downs of Montana. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces & nephews as well as great grand nieces & nephews.

She loved the Lord and had been involved in foreign missions in Indonesia, co-pastoring churches. Played the guitar left handed and used her talent by playing and singing in church and on radio. She was also involved in Bible teaching in Sunday School and Bible school. She is absent from the body but at home with the Lord. We miss her greatly but rejoice in knowing that she is enjoying heaven and the presence of the Savior whom she so dearly loved.

Graveside Thursday June 3rd 1:00 PM
Celebration of Life. Sunday 3:00 PM
Bethel Christian Center
414 S.W.  312th
Federal Way, Wa.