Robert Lafayette Beal

Robert L. Beal, born January 17, 1927, went to be with his heavenly father on July 2, 2024.  He was 97 years old.  Robert died on the family farm near Wellborn, Texas, where he lived with his wife of 73 years, Mary Frances Willard Beal.  Robert and Mary had 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Robert enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving honorably from 1946 to 1948.  He met his wife after being recalled to active duty in 1951.  Robert and Mary were wed on May 5, 1951, and Robert shipped out for Korea five days later.  Robert saw intense combat in Korea during 1951 and 1952.

Robert pursued a career in Civil Service at Fort MacArthur in California, Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, and the Army Corps of Engineers in Seoul, Korea.  Robert and Mary tragically lost their daughter, Rebecca Lynn Beal Scruton, in the Soviet shootdown of Korean Air Lines flight 007 on September 1, 1983.

Robert retired from Civil Service in 1987 and returned to the family farm.  Combining his love for the Lord and his skill as a draftsman, Robert contributed to the design and construction of a church building at each location where he lived.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, July 13, at Wellborn Baptist Church in Wellborn, Texas.