Thomas James Beal passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 10 ^th following a long illness.

Thomas was born October 30, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri to Oscar and Edith Beal. His earliest influence was his grandparents who lived on a farm in the nearby Ozarks – he loved fishing in their creek, and the simplicity of farm life and hoped to live a similar lifestyle.  He was proud of his participation in the Boy Scouts, earning the Eagle Award, in addition to induction into the Order of the Arrow, Tribe of Mic-a-Say.  He graduated from Southeast High in 1958.

Thomas attended junior college in Kansas City, then transferred to Northeast Missouri State College where he met Donna, later to become his wife.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 and served at Fairchild AFB where was also member of the Scuba Diving group for water rescue. He continued his education at Eastern Washington University, where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration.

He and Donna began their life together in August 1964, marrying in her hometown of Corydon, Iowa, before being transferred to Fairchild. Son John was born in 1965, and Lester came along in 1971.

After college and the Air Force, Thomas was employed by Seattle First National Bank, and was sent to the Republic branch as Assistant Manager.  He soon moved into Insurance, establishing the Farmers Insurance Agency in Republic, where it is presently located. In 1979, he decided to turn his full attention to farming and ranching, so he and Donna purchased the former Champa place on the Kettle River.

He was active in county activities, serving as Boy Scout leader and on the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was named in the "Outstanding Young Men of America" publication. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as President of the Cattlemen's Association.  He was Supervisor of the Conservation District, and served on the Water Conservancy Board, Mosquito Board, and as rural fire commissioner.

Thomas loved the opportunity of operating the Beal Ranch with his family.  A highlight of their time there was the creation of Beal Park on the Kettle River, established to provide recreational access to the public.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, and sons John and Lester and their families: John and wife Myst, and their children Jackie Moore (Kevin) (Austin, TX), Andy and Rachel (Seattle); Lester and wife Lisa, and their children Madison and Bryson (Cheney). Thomas also leaves extended family members in southern Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Donations may be made in Thomas's name to the First Presbyterian Church of Republic or Ferry County Memorial Hospital.