Dedicated his life to community service

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, December 25, 2003

Judge Don Beaman’s passing marks the end of a life of community service to Marysville and our county.

Don was my Scoutmaster some 60 years ago. He coaxed and coerced me and other boys to earn many merit badges.

As a haberdasher he sold me my first suit when I went away to college.

A lifelong New Deal Democrat he took great exception when my father – the Globe editor – referred to Democrats as “Bourbons”. However, those two – Democrat and Republican were close friends for many years.

Don did admit that he voted for one Republican – me. I guess he figured I’d be fair, and since we continued to talk to each other, I must have been as far as he was concerned.

Don served as one of the last “civilian” Justices of Peace in the state. He knew more law than most lawyers and was known for his fair and unbiased judgements.

He was a strong champion for the Marysville Historical Society. We both served on a panel to establish a location for Marysville’s Historical Museum and were deeply disappointed in the lack of enthusiasm from the city administration.

Don Beaman throughout his life served on many civic and political boards and commissions – all to the betterment of our community.

I would hope that there will be an effort to remember his many contributions in a tangible and visible way.

SIM R. WILSON

Marysville