Obituary of Michael Bruce Beason

56, born 12/23/1949 in Puyallup, WA and passed away at home with his family 3/3/2006 in Gig Harbor, WA. Mike is survived by son, Jeremy Beason of Bremerton, WA; 2 daughters, Tawnya (Ronald) Keen of Shelton, WA, Rachel Beason of Bremerton, WA; mother and step father Barbara and Michael Healy of Gig Harbor, WA; brother, Patrick (Kerry) Beason of Gig Harbor, WA; 2 sisters, Vernine (John) Thoma of University Place, WA, Kim Thornburg and sons Bryce and Jason of University Place, WA; 2 grandchildren, Celeste Marie Osborne, and Amberlynn Keen. Preceded in death by son Justin Curtis Beason. Viewing to be held 4-8PM Friday, March 10 at Edwards Memorial Center, 3005 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466 253-566-1008. Inurnment service to be held 12PM Saturday, March 11 at Haven of Rest Cemetery 8503 SR 16 West, Gig Harbor, WA. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society. Biography: Michael Bruce Beason was born on December 23, 1949 in Puyallup Washington. He was the oldest of three children born to Carl M____ Beason and Barbara Lee Edwards Beason. His brother Patrick Ray Beason was born in (12/11/1950), his two sisters were Vernine Marie Beason (3/27/1952) and Kimberley "Kim" Ann Stickney (4/29/1961). When the family moved to Tacoma, he attended Geiger elementary school. His step father died in 1960 when he was 11 years old. Mike attended Hunt Jr High, Wilson and Curtis HS. When he was 18 he enlisted in the US Army, earned his General Education Diploma, and served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. One of his duties was door gunner on an attack helicopter. He was honorably discharged in 1973. He went to work at the US Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. He was married and from that marriage he had a daughter Tawnya Lynn Beason who was born on 5/11/1975 in Bremerton, Washington. Mike was married again and had 3 children: Jeremy Michael Beason (6/25/1983), Justin Curtis Beason (8/25/1984 - 3/23/1992), and Rachel Lee Beason (8/22/1985). His youngest son, Justin fought a short but hard battle with Leukemia. Mike was with Justin at Children's Hospital in Seattle for many days and nights. Justin died on March 23, 1992 and is buried in Bremerton. Mike worked as a marine machinery mechanic and was called to special assignments and traveled to many of the shipyards and once served in Bahrain for nearly a year. Being away from his children, he retired in May of 1998 with nearly 26 years of employment with the US Naval Shipyard. Soon he was involved with his children at Klahowya Secondary school. He enjoyed watching Jeremy and Rachel participate in many school activities. He began working for the Central Kitsap School District as a Para educational support person in the special needs classes and he videotaped the HS football games and wrestling matches. It was his delight to do this for Jeremy's teams. Mike's home in Seabeck was a place where many of his children's friends came to know Mike. He was respected and loved because he would listen and share suggestions about life and love. He was a "Dad" to many of his children's friends. Someone wrote in the online memorial book about his smile. He "had a great smile, when others were sad, (he) you would smile and that changed the sadness." He loved his whole family. When his little sister Kim was married, Mike and his brother Patrick walked her down the aisle and gave her in away in marriage. Mike had been out of touch with his daughter Tawnya for several years. Through friends and relatives, Tawnya, who lived in Shelton, discovered where her dad lived. This was about the time that Mike discovered he had cancer. He and Tawnya began to catch up on the past. In November, Mike was present when Tawnya gave birth to her second daughter Amberlynn. Mike was delighted to enjoy both Amberlynn and her older sister Celeste. When Mike was confined to the US Veteran's Hospital in Seattle, Tawnya and the baby spent many long hours and days together. Last Monday, February 27, Mike gave Tawnya in marriage to Ron Keen at Grandma Barb's home in Gig Harbor. Mike's cancer was discovered after he had taken a fall off a motorcycle. His daughter Rachel insisted he see a doctor. When the chest x-rays were read, they discovered the cancer. It was more pervasive than anyone knew at the time. He endured several treatments and many days in the hospital. A short time ago, he went to stay at his mother's home. His family was with him everyday and when he died peacefully early in the morning of Friday, March 3, 2006. Mike will be loved and remembered by his family. His sister Kim wrote these words: "To my Big Brother....You have touched so many lives...you never turned anyone away. You are a wonderful father, grandpa, son, friend, and brother. You are the most forgiving person I know. I will think of you, miss you, and love you every day of my life. I'll see you again Brother. Loving you forever...Sis." He will be loved and remembered by his children: his daughter Tawnya (her husband Ron Keen) and their two daughters, Mike's granddaughters: Celeste and Amberlynn his son Jeremy, his daughter Rachel His mother Barb and her husband Michael Healy his Brother Patrick (his wife Kerry) and their children his sister Vernine (her husband John Thoma , and their children his sister Kim and her sons Bryce and Jason. other family relatives, students who called him “Mr. Mike,” and many friends. Now Mike has gone to see his little boy Justin, his father, and many members of his family and friends who preceded him in their deaths. We will miss Mike who will always be to us a son, a brother, Dad, grandpa, uncle, colleague and friend. Prepared by Pastor Paul Kuhn paulkuhn3896@msn.com