John Beeson
October 25, 1936 - October 22, 2008
Obituary
John Beeson was born to Jack and Bernice Beeson on October 25, 1936 in Seattle. He graduated from high school and Jr. College at St Martins, and completed his business degree at the U of W where he was in the ATO fraternity. After earning his law degree from U.P.S he began his bonding and insurance career which spanned four decades as Beeson Co.
John was a generous, loving man who provided help and support to countless people in need throughout his life. He was a competitive sailor, avid basketball fan and passionate about raising and racing his thoroughbred horses. He is survived by his wife Donna, brother Peter Beeson Sue, and their children Peter II, Nicole and Kyleen; Sisters Sia, Maria and brothers Leonidas Goupios and Jim Halkiopoulos. A Trisagion will be held on Tuesday October 28, 7:00 pm at Bonney-Watson, 1732 Broadway in Seattle. Viewing is available throughout the day starting at 10:00. Funeral services are Wednesday, October 29th at 11:00am at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 1804 13th Ave., Seattle, 98122. In lieu of flowers donations to the Building Fund of the Greek Orthodox Church are welcome.
I have known John since 1964. We have had a good working relationship for over 40 years. In our business dealings John was always fair and honest. He was also very generous with lunches and tickets to ball games. John will be missed by eveyone who knew him. LEE
John was one year ahead of me at St. Martins High School. He was a great friend, teammate and mentor. He was always a 1000 laughs and just good to be around.
Does anyone remember the nickname Dype!
May he go quickly to heaven.
Wes Fitzpatrick
When I first got started in public works John was recommended by a friend. Even today, many years later, he is still the most valuable recommendation of my business life. I simply wouldn’t be in business today without John. I owe him.
I have fond memories of John on the debating team. He and DeWilde made a great team. Coach Grant really appreciated John’s quick mind and polished debating style.
John will be remembered in my mass & prayers.
Our deepest sympathy. He will be missed by all here. Blessings from all of us. Signal Electric Inc.
When I told my girls that John had passed my daughter Dahlia reminded me of the day she rang your doorbell. She was 3 years old and on her own. John answered the door with a bowl of strawberries and said hello. Dahlia said oh I love strawberries, will you share with me?
John left the front door open so I would know where to go, then sat and shared his berries. When I found her she had a smiley strawberry face and Donna was bring a second bowl.
I was a little embarrassed that I had misplaced my 3 year old, but John and Dahlia thought it was great fun.
This is the wonderful and generous man that we will always remember.
We take for granted what we have until it is no longer there. I have known John for 50 years. He was an excellent teacher, a great business partner, and most importantly, a good friend. I will miss you John. Chuck
We are all so very sorry to hear about John’s passing. We have many fun and serious memories of him at Hoods Canal. He and Donna had been wonderful friends and neighbors of ours for years and we loved being with them. Donna, I know Ed is up there in Heaven waiting for John and he will take good care of him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time.
Love,
Nonie and Family
John was bigger than life. He was my boss and friend for 10 years and I loved him.
John was a student of mine while I was at St. Martin’s College. I taught him debate when he was in high school. He was a top notch debater with his partner, Harley De Wilde. We were in a serious car accident together while on a trip to Redlands, California for a debate tourney in about 1955.
Our paths seldom crossed in later years.
My prayers are with all his family.
I was hired by John Beeson after a very lengthy 5 minute interview where my handwriting passed as “good” in October of 1991. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that I was coming from an office in Portland, OR where I worked with Bob Lagler. I was hired to replace Carol Bernard who would be retiring. For those of you that knew her, you knew that replacing her was an impossible task given their many years of working with each other. I’m glad that John did go ahead, take a chance and hire me anyway.
What I can tell you about John Beeson is that he was one of the most thoughtful, caring bosses that I ever had. I only knew about bonding when I started working for him. 10 years later, I knew not only more about bonding, but I learned a lot of about insurance and accounting as well. When I came back from having my son Cole, the first thing John said was “you don’t want to work full time do you? Why don’t you start having Wednesdays off”. What kind of boss does that? When John decided to retire and sell his business, he made sure that I was well taken care of at my new job. I was and I am.
His relationship with his clients was top notch. Most of these clients are still in business today and are doing etremely well. He was a part of their financial team. Simply put – he was one of the best.
I will miss you John. I will always remember when we went to lunch and you left your car running the entire time. I will also remember my annual reviews we had of my progress while driving down the road on Alki : Thank you for all that you did for me.
Donna and family, my thoughts are prayers are with you.
Love,
Cathryn Dail
I met John and his father in the late 1950’s and John handled all my bonding and insurance with the exception of the period he left the industry to devote himself to race horses! from the founding of my company in 1964 until I sold it in 2001.
John was a master at finding bonding for newcomers to the construction industry like myself and his integrity was respected by all.
The business world needs more like John.
A. H. Powers
I was hired by John Beeson after a very lengthy 5 minute interview where my handwriting passed as “good” in October of 1991. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that I was coming from an office in Portland, OR where I worked with Bob Lagler. I was hired to replace Carol Bernard who would be retiring. For those of you that knew her, you knew that replacing her was an impossible task given their many years of working with each other. I’m glad that John took a chance and hired me anyway.
What I can tell you about John Beeson is that he was one of the most thoughtful, caring bosses that I ever had. I only knew about bonding when I started working for him. 10 years later, I knew not only more about bonding, but I learned a lot of about insurance and accounting as well. When I came back from having my son Cole, the first thing John said was “you don’t want to work full time do you? Why don’t you start having Wednesdays off”. What kind of boss does that? When John decided to retire and sell his business, he made sure that I was well taken care of at my new job. I was and I am.
His relationship with his clients was top notch. Most of these clients are still in business today and are doing etremely well. He was a part of their financial team. Simply put – he was one of the best.
I will miss you John. I will always remember when we went to lunch and you left your car running the entire time. I will also remember my annual reviews we had of my progress while driving down the road on Alki : Thank you for all that you did for me.
Donna and family, my thoughts are prayers are with you.
Love,
Cathryn Dail
cathryn.dail@hubinternational.com
I was hired by John Beeson after a very lengthy 5 minute interview where my handwriting passed as “good” in October of 1991. I was hired to replace Carol Bernard who would be retiring. For those of you that knew her, replacing her was an impossible task given their many years of working with each other. I’m glad that John did take a chance and hire me anyway.
John Beeson was one of the most thoughtful, caring bosses I ever had. I only knew about bonding when I started working for him. 10 years later, I knew not only more about bonding, but I learned a lot of about insurance and accounting as well. When I returned from having my son Cole, John said “you don’t want to work full time do you? Why don’t you start having Wednesdays off”. What kind of boss does that? When John decided to retire and sell his business, he made sure that I was well taken care of at my new job. I was and I am.
His relationship with his clients was top notch. Most of these clients are still in business today and are doing etremely well. He was a part of their financial team. Simply put – he was one of the best.
I will miss you John. I will always remember when we went to lunch and you left your car running the entire time. I will also remember my annual reviews we had of my progress while driving down the road on Alki : Thank you for all that you did for me.
Cathryn Dail
cathryn.dail@hubinternational.com
Although I didn’t know John and Donna as well as I would have liked to, I looked forward to seeing them come into our casino. John was always wearing a smile and was friendly toward anyone who sat down with us. He will be missed.
Truly sorry to hear of John’s death. His generosity in sharing the home for so many occasions, including helping Charlie Chong, is very much appreciated.My condolences to Donna and all of the family.
We had the pleasure of John Beesons friendship for over forty years.
He was a most capable and honorable businessman and second to none in his abilities in the handling of bonds, insurance and other matters relating to contractors. He reveled in the challenges of the business.
One of his many achievements in addition to running his business was attending evening law classes at the University of Puget Sound where he graduated JD and successfully passed the bar. No small accomplishment!
John was the champion of the entrepreneur. His support and encouragement contributed enormously to the success of my wholesale insurance firm.
God bless you John. You will be missed and are in our prayers.
As John Beeson’s only child, to the best of my knowledge, I shall attempt to carry forth the best of his qualities.
If anyone would care to share memories, I can be reached at BrendaBeeson@msn.com.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was pleased to have met your husband and found him, like you, and Sia to be a decent and kindly person. Your faith, family, friends and the grotto will sustain you through this time. If I may help in any way you have but to ask or ask Kim to call me. Adrian