John Paul "Sharkey" Beasley
Marriages
Ruth Martha Hendrickson Beasley - September 7, 1930
in Leadville, Colorado
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 5 - October 2, 1997
SHARKEY BEASLEY: 75 YEARS OF LIFE IN EAGLE COUNTY.
Ask most people in town if they knew Paul BEASLEY, and they'd likely respond with a "who?"
Ask them if they knew Sharkey, and they'd probably say "yes."
John Paul "Sharkey" BEASLEY was the kind of man whose presence is a solid part of the character of a small town. At the age of 94 he remained a constant factor in the community, whether it be on his frequent walks through local neighborhoods, his habit of striking up conversations with friends or strangers at the post office or the grocery store, or his inclination to second-guess an umpire at a ball game.
This week, family and friends are remembering Sharkey BEASLEY, who died of natural causes Sept. 23 at the Glen Valley Care Center in Glenwood Springs.
He was born in Ecru, Miss. on Nov. 5, 1902. His parents were Addie Ophelia Snipes BEASLEY and the Rev. Thomas BEASLEY, a Southern Baptists minister. Sharkey grew up in Tupelo, Miss., and attended Union College and the University of Tennessee.
Health reasons prompted BEASLEY to come out to the west as a young man. Suffering from what was diagnosed as typhoid fever, BEASLEY's doctor advised him that he had better get out and see what he wanted to see. BEASLEY and a friend had a yearning to see the country. They caught a train and headed out.
After stops in St. Louis and Kansas City, BEASLEY decided to visit a relative living in Eagle County. When he hopped off the train at Edwards on that wintry March day 75 years ago, he found himself literally chest deep in snow.
He found the country to his liking, and hired himself out as a ranch hand. His health improved, and he decided to stay.
BEASLEY was a talented baseball player, and was one of the stars of the Edwards team. The men who played with him recall that he was one of the best shortstops in the county...or maybe in the world.
During his early years in the Eagle Valley, BEASLEY and other young men often gathered to play cards. BEASLEY had some phenomenal luck at the card taable, to the extent that friends teasingly started to call him a "shark." In time, that nickname evolved into "Sharkey," and stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Grandson Bill BEASLEY recounts a time when Sharkey's brother paid a visit. The out-of-town visitor stopped at the local gas station, and asked the proprietor, a long-time local, where Paul BEASLEY lived. The gas station man had never heard of Paul BEASLEY. However, when the brother threw out the name of "Sharkey," recognition clicked on, and directions were given.
On Sept. 7, 1930, Sharkey married Ruth Martha HENDRICKSON in a ceremony in Leadville. His wife survives him.
BEASLEY continued his ranch work. He and Ruth raised their children, Margaret (COLLETT) and John, on Gypsum Creek. One of the ranchers that BEASLEY worked for was Sigurd BOBSON.
Eventually, BEASLEY went to work as a hard rock miner for the New Jersey Zinc Company in Gilman. For 30 years, he commuted to the mines, often driving the Volkswagen cars that he favored.
His love of athletic events was a strong factor in his life. He enjoyed his son John's athletic efforts, and years later, was a constant fan of his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's athletic ventures. He was in particular a fan of the Eagle Valley Telephone fast-pitch softball team that grandson Bill played on during the 70's.
Sharkey BEASLEY was not shy about voicing his opinions, whether it be about an umpire's judgment (or lack thereof), or a town issue. That straightforwardness was an intrinsic part of his personality.
"He didn't beat around the bush," recalls Grandson Bill, with a chuckle.
BEASLEY enjoyed kids. Long-time neighbors George and Pat McCOLLUM recall that Sharkey was unruffled when one of their toddlers wandered over to "help" Sharkey paint the trim on his house. Sharkey accepted the help right up until young Mac put his hands in the paint bucket...then patiently returned the boy with the dripping hands to his parents.
The McCollum kids are grown up now, but they continued to visit Sharkey during their visits home on college breaks. Sharkey was devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed good health, walking about two miles a day. He was also a daily visitor at Beasley's Food Town, the grocery store run by his son and grandchildren.
"He'd visit with the guys and make sure we were doing things right," smiles Bill.
Sharkey enjoyed fishing. He knew the waters of Gypsum Creek well, and also enjoyed fishing from a boat on lakes, often with his son, John. Steamboat Lake was a favorite. Yard work was another pleasure. He mowed his own lawn, and kept a tidy flower bed.
In recent years, Sharkey and Ruth enjoyed playing bingo. They were regular participants in the weekly games in Gypsum; and frequently drove to Glenwood Springs to play.
His was a full life.
"I never heard him say, 'I wish I would have...'," recalls grandson Bill. "Everything he wanted to do, he did."
Sharkey BEASLEY is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Eagle;; son John of Eagle, and daughter Margaret COLLETT of Gypsum. Other survivors include brothers Kenneth BEASLEY of Tupelo, Miss. and Neel BEASLEY of Pine Bluff, Ark.; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren..
Memorial services were held at Gypsum United Methodist Church on Sept. 29.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Western Eagle County Recreation District, Paul Beasley Fund, PO Box 246, Eagle, Colo. 81631.
Vail Daily - September 29, 1997
John Paul "Sharkey" BEASLEY, 94, of Eagle County passed away due to natural causes September 23 at the Glen Valley Care Center in Glenwood Springs. He will be laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Gypsum.
The funeral service will be held September 29, 1997 at 2 p.m. at the Gypsum United Methodist Church. Reverend Keith HUDIBURGH will officiate the service, and visitation hours will be from noon until 2 p.m. at the church the day of the service.
A farmer and miner by trade, BEASLEY was a resident of Eagle County for 75 years. He was born November 5, 1906 in Ecru, Miss. to parents, Rev. Thomas Andrew Jeremiah BEASLEY and Addie Ophelia SNIPES. He spent his childhood and went to high school in Tupelo, Miss. and went on to attend college at the university of Tennessee in Martin.
John Paul BEASLEY is survived by his wife, Ruth Martha HENDRICKSON of Eagle, to whom he was married September 7, 1930 in Leadville; son John Paul BEASLEY Jr. of Gypsum; daughter Margaret L. COLLETT of Gypsum; brothers Kenneth BEASLEY of Tupelo, Miss. and Neel BEASLEY of Pine Bluff, Ark. He is the grandfather of six and the great grandfather of 10 children.
John Paul BEASLEY was a resident of Tupelo, Miss. and Gypsum and a member of the Southern Baptist Church. His interests included fishing, bingo, supporting athletic events, yard work and his flower garden.
Memorial contributions can be made to: WECM Recreation District, Paul BEASLEY Fund, PO Box 246, Eagle, Colo., 81631.
