FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Charles Beach Jr. 1919-2009 - The Beattyville Enterprise Thursday, November 19, 2009

By: Edmond Shelby (An Observation)

 Charles Beach Jr, banker, community leader, Army General, son, and father was born on the birthday of the country, July 4, 1919, and died on Veterans Day, November 11, 2009.

     
Just as those coincidental dates serve as brackets to a full life, they remind us of the belief that some may have their destiny decided.

    
 The “General” as he was known, could be aloof. He could be controlling. He could be passionate. He could be, and was, reserved.

    
 For a man who achieved in virtually everything in which he involved himself, General Beach did not like to blow his own horn.

    
 I met him years ago when I was a young reporter in Hazard. He was a physically small man whose reserve and demeanor raised him in size. His gentlemanly manner deserved respect.

 
I joined St. Thomas Episcopal Church in 1992. The General was as much a part of the church as the stonewalls. It was one of his passions. He wanted the building preserved, and the congregation to grow. He, as all whoever have belonged there, revered the beauty of the service. 

     
He never gave up trying to see Beattyville and Lee County grow. His work with the Chamber of Commerce was epic.

    
 If there was an obvious fault to the man, it was one that showed late in his life. Following a white pickup on KY 11 North one day, I thought about calling the police. The truck was off the road as much as it was on. I knew it had to be a drunk driver, but as I got closer, I noticed instead that it was an aging General Beach, and not a drunk driver.

     
His son and I talked about the concern of the General driving. Towards the end, Little Charlie, the General’s son, drove him wherever he needed to go.

    
 A community does not replace a Charles Beach Jr.

    
 Farewell, mighty Redwood, Farewell.