Tom Beacham Obituary

Thomas "Tom" Hartwell Beacham, beloved husband of Shirley Mullinax Beacham, born January 15, 1933, in Greer, South Carolina, passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on September 22, 2025, at the age of 92. He was the youngest son of Alonzo and Lillian Moon Beacham. His life was a testament to resilience and versatility. He begun his journey as a young boy growing up on the family farm in the Oneal Community where he developed a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures. This background not only shaped his character but instilled in him the values of hard work and familial ties. Throughout his life, Tom remained close to his roots, sharing stories of his upbringing with those he loved. He was a graduate of Mountain View High School where he was a member of the first football team at the school and was awarded the Babe Ruth Medal of Honor for his tough love and spirit of football. Tom went on to join the United States Air Force serving 12 years in parts of the United States, Germany and the Reserves. He loved his country and continued close contact with Air Force buddies attending many get togethers throughout the United States. He was proud of the services of his extended family. He was the recipient of the UDC Medal of Honor through the service and sacrifice of his great-great-great-grandfather, Hartwell Lowery Beacham, who served along with his sons in the S.C. Palmetto Sharp Shooters during the War Between the States. His father served in WWI, and brother and best friend, Frank, served 30 years in the United States Air Force. Later in life, he was a participant on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans Association. Tom built his home on the family farm and had many hobbies including raising cattle and various animals. Tom was an avid hunter and was a master beekeeper. He was a member of the Greenville County Livestock Association where he served on the Board of Directors and was a recipient of the N.J. Ayers Award. As members, he and his wife planned many study tours for the livestock group, traveling to many farms and places across the United States. Tom was a member of Washington Baptist Church where he served as a former deacon, trustee and various committees and a faithful member of the Ronnie Knight Sunday School Class. He retired from Springs Industries with 45 years of service as supervisor in the Synthetic Dye Department. For pleasure, Tom's passion and joy was spent gathering the history of his Beacham and Moon genealogies. If you were ever around him, his conversation quickly led to discussions of who was who. His grandfather, James, and grandmother, "Sis" (Lindsay) Moon, were born and raised in the Dark Corner on the side of Glassy Mountain and that became Tom's passport to that beloved area. Many trips were taken to the area after he became disabled. He had Shirley to drive over and again those roads to stop at the old homeplace and every cemetery in the area. To say is emphatically, Tom so loved his Lord, his wife, children and family beyond measure and felt deeply blessed by his Chrisitan heritage and blessings of the fullness of his life. Surviving in addition to his wife of 68 years are his son, Thomas William Beacham (Loretta Daniel), beloved granddaughter, Anna Kane (Mitchel), his cherished great-grandsons, Grant and Thomas Kane, along with his sisters, Velma Fowler and Thelma Tate, sister-in-law, Anne Mullinax Cromer, and his special nieces and nephews, Jeannie Browne (Dwight), Beth Hedrick (Joe), Jill Cromer, Jimmy Vaughn (Jennie), Larry Mullinax (Darlene), Daniel Mullinax (Amy), John Cromer (Crystal) and many special cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Susan Beacham, his loving parents, Alonzo and Lillian M. Beacham, sisters, Hope Beacham, Annie Vaughn (James), Lila Sandlin (Harvey), brother, Frank Beacham (Mary), brothers-in-law, Dean Fowler, Wayne Tate, Tommy Cromer, Derry Mullinax, maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Lindsay Moon, paternal grandparents, Rev. Hartwell and Lou Della Burgess Beacham, and many special aunts and uncles. A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2026, at Washington Baptist Church, North Highway 14, Greer, South Carolina, conducted by Rev. Trent Henson and Dr. Drew Hines. Burial will follow in Wood Memorial Park, Duncan, South Carolina. Pallbearers will be Grant and Mitchel Kane, Jimmy Vaughn, Dwight Browne, Larry Mullinax and Michael Howard. Honorary escorts will be the Ronnie Knight Sunday School Class, Jerry Bruce, Bruce and Lannie Durham, Carroll Crawford, Neves and Lavinia Few, and Gene and Becky Tapp. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary, Greer, South Carolina. A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers from Interim Hospice in Greenville, South Carolina. Donations may be made to Washington Baptist Church, 3500 North Highway 14, Greer, South Carolina 29651 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Wounded Warriors), 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, New York 10306. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.