James Beach

James Wayne Beach was born July 11, 1941 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas to Jimmie and Edith (Maples) Beach. He left this world March 21, 2021 at the age of 79 years, 8 months, and 10 days.

He married Ella May Mackey on June 2, 1968 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. They were married for 52 years.

James attended Westville Schools, then attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with majors in Agricultural Education and Horticulture. He taught at Watts Schools for five years, where he met Ella May.

He was asked to take the position of Horticulture Instructor in the first school of its kind at Skyline Career Development School in Dallas, Texas. He developed the Horticulture Program there, writing five books published by Harper Row Publishing. Not only was it exciting, but it was also a new adventure for the family.

James and Ella May decided to raise their children back home, on the farm. They returned to Westville, where he taught Vocational Agriculture, at Westville High School. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Westville.

James is survived by: his wife, Ella May Beach of the home, daughter, Janedith Collins, husband Eddie, children Faith and Jimmy, all of Westville, OK, Son, Jim Ed Beach, wife Jodie, (of Madison County, Iowa) children Emily (of Spartanburg, South Carolina), Olivia (of Madison County, Iowa), Tyler (of Columbia, South Carolina) and Ethan (of Madison County, Iowa), brother, Bobby Beach, wife Kathy, of Westville, nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, great-great nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends that he loved very much.

Funeral services were held at 10 am on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Westville, OK with Bro. Justin Heck and Pastor Chris Harrison officiating.  Interment followed at Westville City Cemetery, Westville, OK under the direction of Roberts & Hart Funeral Home, Westville, OK.