Gerald "Jerry" Beat

Gerald Bernard Beat, known to family and friends as “Jerry”, was born May 14, 1930, and made his entrance to his heavenly home on January 9, 2020, at the age of 89.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Grace Beat, and his five children, Sharron LaMunyon (Richard), Terry Lowry (Paula), Kathy Beat (Debbie), Jeri Jordan (Howard) and Tom Beat. Jerry has four grandchildren, Slade LaMunyon (Shari), Andrea White (Philip), Blake LaMunyon (Marci), and Ashley Lowry Conklin.  In addition, he was blessed to have eight great grandchildren.  Jacob LaMunyon (Michelle), Skyler White, Hanna Vestering (Nick), Thor White, Emie Lego (Tyler), Jace LaMunyon (Taylor), Aidan Conklin and Ava Conklin.  He had six great great grandchildren, Landry LaMunyon, Aikman LaMunyon, Kade Lego and Mason Lego, Riley Vestering and Gavin Vestering.  Jerry believed strongly in the family unit and the account of names listed above attests to that! Jerry’s siblings, nieces and nephews were very important to him. He is survived by three brothers, Alvin Beat, Leo Beat (Judy), and Gene Beat and sister, Jane Bailie (Tom).  He was preceded in death by sisters, Alice Clavin, and Dorothy Dix and by brothers, Ernie Beat and Bob Beat. Jerry attended Kingman, KS schools. He loved the simple life.  He served in the Army in the Korean War from 1953-1955.  He received a National Defense Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal and a Korean Service Medal.  Jerry and his brother Alvin served at the same time period. From age 18-63, Jerry worked for Standard/Amoco Oil Company.  He drove a transport truck 12 hours a day and gave his children a shining example of a strong work ethic. He never had an accident during his 45 years of driving. Jerry was a happy, fun loving person, a big joke-teller, anxious to tell someone a joke whenever he could get a chance.  He loved making people laugh. In earlier years, he liked to fish out on the family farm, he enjoyed playing horseshoes in the back yard and NEVER turned down a card or domino game with the kids at his assisted living room.  He had an amazing mind for math, even in his later years.  He could remember every card played and what every person had in their hand.  Jerry enjoyed KU basketball and he was passionate about watching the New York Yankees. Jerry was known to co-workers and friends as a kind and generous person, who loved helping people.  He was a stubborn man, but he would prefer to see it as “a man of principle”.  While stubborn, he was also very patient.  He was a very simple person, who wanted for nothing, he said he always had everything he needed.  When it came to finances and being “frugal”, he was always figuring out ways to stretch a penny.  While he was sometimes more than a little bit “tight”, his family was blessed by his example. Jerry’s Catholic faith was very important to him, attending St. Patrick’s parish and later St. Francis of Assisi parish for many years.  More recently, he has attended the St. Catherine’s Parish connected to Ascension Senior Living, where he lived the past 2 years.  The staff at Ascension Senior Living spoke of Dad as humble, sweet and kind.  He liked the staff there and was always grateful for their help.  He will be greatly missed by his family, and remembered by many.  We celebrate the good memories we have!  We honor his life - Jerry Beat, a loving husband, dad, and grandfather.