Leonard Beal

Funeral services for Leonard Jackson Beal, Jr, aka "Bear", 89, of Grandview, will be conducted at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, October 12, 2012 in the Crosier Pearson Cleburne Chapel.

Mr. Beal passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in Grandview. He was born to Leonard Jackson, Sr. and Madie Idell Kelly Beal on April 29, 1923 in Texarkana, Texas. He served in the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps. He was a veteran of World War II. He retired after over 20 years service as an engineer with Santa Fe Railroad. He married Anna Abe in a tribal ceremony 28 years ago and again in Fort Worth earlier this year legally. Mr. Beal attended Sand Flat Baptist Church in recent years. He donated the family museum, known as Big Bear and Sons to the Johnson County's Chisholm Trail as well as numerous Native American artifacts that he and his children had collected over the last 50 years. He was a member of numerous organizations including the Johnson County Historical Society, Model T Antique Car Club, Masonic Lodge of Cleburne, Shriners, VFW, American Legion and the NRA. Mr. Beal not only changed his way of living to the Native American way of life, but taught numerous children and others about their traditions and beliefs. He was many things to many people, including an artist, musician, jeweler, and silversmith.

Mr. Beal is preceded in death by his parents; son, Leonard Jackson "Jay" Beal, III; daughter, Madie Lou Deaton; grandson, Adam Beal; and an infant sister. Survivors include his wife, Anna Beal; son, Juan Beal and his wife, Anita; daughter in law, Val Beal; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 14 great great grandchildren; numerous generations of nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends

Visitation

No set visitation

Service

Crosier-Pearson Cleburne
512 North Ridgeway Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Friday, October 12, 2012
4:00 P.M.
Map to Service Location

Interment

Odom Cemetery
8333 CR 205
Grandview , TX 76050
Map to Interment Location