1923
Richard
2009
Richard Beasley
March 31, 1923 — July 26, 2009
BEASLEY, RICHARD WILLIAM, age 86, of Christiansburg, VA passed away Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
Born March 31, 1923 in Stuart, VA the son of the late George and Vergie Beasley, he was a 1940 graduate of Stuart High School, following high school, he studied aviation and mechanics in Blacksburg, VA prior to taking a job with Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company in Baltimore, MD. A WW II veteran he joined the US Navy in 1942, where he studied Aviation Ordinance in Memphis, TN. From there he was sent to San Juan Puerto Rico, as a gunner instructor until the end of the war. He was discharged with the rank of Second Class Petty Officer.
Following the War he returned to Stuart and built the Star Theater, in 1949 he came to Christiansburg and built the Glenn Theater. There he met his soon to be wife, Dorothy Bishop, the two were married on his birthday, March 31, 1952. After selling the indoor theater in 1953, he opened the Starlite Drive-In Theater, which is still in operation by his family. Mr. Beasley also repaired and resold wrecked automobiles from 1992 – 2005.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Madeline and Regina; a brother, Winford and two daughters, Cathy and Debbie. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Beasley; a daughter, Peggy Beasley and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the Horne Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Per his request the body will then be cremated. A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 at the Starlite Drive-In by Dr. Donald Makin. The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Montgomery County Emergence Assistance Fund, PO Box 238, Christiansburg, VA 24068.
Born March 31, 1923 in Stuart, VA the son of the late George and Vergie Beasley, he was a 1940 graduate of Stuart High School, following high school, he studied aviation and mechanics in Blacksburg, VA prior to taking a job with Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company in Baltimore, MD. A WW II veteran he joined the US Navy in 1942, where he studied Aviation Ordinance in Memphis, TN. From there he was sent to San Juan Puerto Rico, as a gunner instructor until the end of the war. He was discharged with the rank of Second Class Petty Officer.
Following the War he returned to Stuart and built the Star Theater, in 1949 he came to Christiansburg and built the Glenn Theater. There he met his soon to be wife, Dorothy Bishop, the two were married on his birthday, March 31, 1952. After selling the indoor theater in 1953, he opened the Starlite Drive-In Theater, which is still in operation by his family. Mr. Beasley also repaired and resold wrecked automobiles from 1992 – 2005.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Madeline and Regina; a brother, Winford and two daughters, Cathy and Debbie. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Beasley; a daughter, Peggy Beasley and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the Horne Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Per his request the body will then be cremated. A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29 at the Starlite Drive-In by Dr. Donald Makin. The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Montgomery County Emergence Assistance Fund, PO Box 238, Christiansburg, VA 24068.
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