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Jack E. Beu Obituary

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Jack E. Beu

Hillsboro, OR

November 4, 1932 - December 31, 2019

Jack E. Beu Obituary

Jack Eugene Beu, a long-time resident of the Forest Grove community, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 87 on December 31, 2019 at Marquis Care in Forest Grove. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on January 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way in Forest Grove, with Rev. David Zaworski, officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. The son of the late Ernest F. Beu and Rolla P. (Gossman) Beu (later Bates), Jack was born November 4, 1932 in Nelson, Nebraska. After moving to Oregon as a child, Jack received his early education in Carlton before moving to Forest Grove, where he graduated from Forest Grove High School in 1950. Jack then attended Pacific University in Forest Grove on a Rotary scholarship while working as a janitor for the Forest Grove School District. Military service interrupted Jack’s time at Pacific University for two years during the Korean Conflict before he graduated with a bachelor of arts in education. After college, Jack moved to Burien, Washington and married Winifred Ann Waltz on December 20, 1957. They celebrated their 62nd Wedding Anniversary this past December. In Burien, Jack taught elementary school in the Highline School District while he took classes at Central Washington University, earning a master’s degree in education. Two years after the birth of their daughter, Lori Ann Beu, Jack and family moved to McMinnville, Oregon in 1963 for a teaching position—the same year their son, Brian J. Beu (B. J.) was born. After five years, Jack was promoted to principal of Lafayette Elementary School, where he remained until its closure two years later. In 1970, Jack moved to the Forest Grove School District, where he served four elementary schools (Gales Creek, Joseph Gale, Harvey Clark, and Echo Shaw) as principal until his retirement in 1992. In his tenure at Harvey Clark Elementary, his journey came full circle, as it was the school where he worked as janitor during his college years. After retirement, Jack was best known for his service to others. He was always available when someone was in need. He was honored as volunteer of the year in 1998 for his work as Senior Peer Counselor in the greater Portland area. After the Western Washington County Chapter closed, he continued to call on his clients each week for many years, offering friendship and helping them do the things they could not do for themselves. Jack was also an active member of the Forest Grove United Church of Christ, where he was among the last one to leave after activities: washing the dishes, putting away the chairs, or vacuuming the fellowship hall. He served wherever his talents were needed. Finally, Jack was a faithful member of the Kiwanis Club of Forest Grove, participating in their many service projects. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Jack could be found swimming laps at the Forest Grove Aquatic Center. His other hobbies included windsurfing with his son, waterskiing, reading, gardening, and puttering around the yard. He also enjoyed spending time with family on Maui, Hawaii. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister, Doris Ferren. Survivors include his wife, Winnie Beu of Forest Grove; his daughter and son-in-law, Lori Ann Beu and Jeff Dehner, of West Chester, Ohio; and his son and daughter-in-law, Revs. B. J. Beu and Mary Scifres, of Laguna Beach, California. Jack is also survived by his grandson, Michael Beu, of Northridge, California, and by several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in his name to the Forest Grove United Church of Christ for the future remodel of the FGUCC Kitchen. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 265, Forest Grove, Oregon, 97116. To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family, go to www.tualatinvalleyfa.com. Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives in Hillsboro is entrusted with the arrangements. Arrangements are entrusted to Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives in Hillsboro.

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Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Jack E. Beu.