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Ronald LeRoy Beebe, 76

Ronald LeRoy Beebe, 76, of Blair, died Friday, May 3, 2013, in Omaha.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, at First Christian Church in Blair. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Monday at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in the Blair Cemetery.

Ronald LeRoy Beebe was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa, on November 21, 1936, to Opal and Hart Beebe.

He grew up west of Missouri Valley on the family farm. He graduated in 1955 from Missouri Valley High School.

He served his country in the armed forces, beginning on November 7, 1955, where he spent time in Germany during his service. On October 18, 1957, he was honorably discharged and fulfilled his obligation to his country in the reserves until October 12, 1961.

He attended Omaha University studying architecture and Universal Technical Institute graduating with an HVAC degree.

On May 1, 1959, he married Roma Murray at the Church of Christ in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

They lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, until April of 1966 when he was transferred to Marshalltown, Iowa, as a manager for Tractor Supply Company, and later to Ankeny, Iowa, as manager of the Des Moines Tractor Supply Store.

In August of 1975, he moved his family to Blair where he started Beebe Refrigeration, Heating, and Air Conditioning and continued to work until two months ago when his health failed.

He was baptized into Christ while attending Eastside Christian Church in Council Bluffs, and served the Lord in many capacities: deacon, elder, chairman of the board, youth leader, and teacher of young children.

He continued to belong to the First Christian Church men’s prayer group until his death. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Missouri Valley Christian Church.

Mr. Beebe enjoyed many hobbies, including building and flying model airplanes. He restored a 1960 VW and his pride and joy was his latest restoration of his 1940 Ford, which he enjoyed driving in parades. He liked riding motorcycles with his friends. He loved fishing in Canada and hunting when he was younger. He was great at remodeling old houses and took great pride in his business.

He received the most joy from his family and spending time with them. He loved a good laugh and always had a twinkle in his eyes when he could pull one over on someone. He never found an ice cream that he didn’t like.

He is survived by his wife, Roma of Blair; daughter and son-in-law, Kolleen and Jeff Otte of Omaha; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Kim of Blair and Gregory and Jamie of Omaha; grandchildren, Thomas and Bret Beebe, Ashlie Socha, Shaurice McKee, Kristina McKee-Leonard, Joslyn and Jillian Beebe; great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Samantha, Declan, Mackenzie, Liam and Jaxson; sister, Joyce Fry and Richard of Council Bluffs; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Beebe of Modale.

He was preceded in death by his brother, William Beebe.

Memorials may be directed to First Christian Church in Blair.

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