John Foley Beasley, Denton, TX

 
John Foley Beasley was born March 11, 1945, in Oceanside, Calif., to Charles Joseph Beasley and Marie Ann Beasley (Foley).

He grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., and is a 1963 graduate of Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in finance in 1967.

He married Veronica Margaret McConnell Aug. 14, 1966. Upon graduation he worked for Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing in North Kingston, R.I. In 1973, Brown and Sharpe transferred him to their plant in Denton. In 1977, John went to work for Poco Graphite in Decatur.

In 1983, he received his Master of Business Administration from North Texas State University, now UNT. He became president and CEO of Poco Graphite in 1987 and retired in that position in 2008.

After retirement, he became a passionate woodturner and created many beautiful bowls and other art objects. He served as president of the Golden Triangle Woodturners and on their board for many years. He also served on the Salvation Army board and the board of trustees for Denton Regional Hospital. He was a member of Denton Community Theatre (Theatre Denton), The Greater Denton Arts Council and the Festival Foundation where he was a Top Hand since its inception.

Besides woodturning, he was an avid fisherman and golfer. John was recently inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution. His 6th great-grandfather, Benjamin Beasley, fought in the Revolutionary War. John and Roni were longtime members of Immaculate Catholic Church and John was a member of the Knights of Columbus. John was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Veronica “Roni” Beasley; his children, Melissa Beasley Adami (John), Karen Beasley Williams (Bradley), Suzanne Beasley Ramirez (Rene) and John Foley Beasley II (Christy).

He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, John Stephen Adami, Anna Adami, Michael Adami, Charles Adami, Daniel Adami, Thomas Adami, Trevor Williams, Evan Williams, Bradley Gavin Williams, Damon Ramirez, Samantha Ramirez, Andrew Beasley and Dylan Beasley; his brother, Charles Stuart Beasley (Lori); and sister-in-law Charlotte McConnell Ghioto.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John’s memory to the Salvation Army of Denton, Theater Denton or the Greater Denton Arts Council.