Wayne Beam Sr.
On Monday morning, October 17, 2016, Wayne William Beam Sr., walked up
from getting the morning paper, poured a cup of coffee, sat down in his
chair, and passed from this life. His beloved wife Beverly was home with
him.
He was born March 11, 1937 in Chattanooga, TN, to the late Eva Lee Beam
and the late Russell Beam, and had one brother, the late Richard Beam.
On December 27, 1958, he married the dental hygienist from Nashville,
Beverly Ann (Sanders) Beam, who survives. They were married 58 years.
For years, he proudly called his 3 children his “3 survivors.” His
favorite daughter, Deborah (Beam) Pontius and son-in-law Christian
Pontius; grandson Taylor Pontius and granddaughter Dr. Christen Pontius
DPT. His oldest son, Wayne W. Beam, Jr. MD and daughter-in-law Amy Beam,
RN; grandchildren Lenzi (Beam) Kiluba and husband William Kiluba, Alex,
Wesley, Ivy, and Isaac Beam. His tallest son, Jason R. Beam, RN and
daughter-in-law Kelli Beam, grandchildren Drew and Carlee Beam.
He received his Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1958 at the University of
Tennessee School of Medical Sciences and later received his Doctorate of
Pharmacy. Wayne is best remembered as co-owner of Tullahoma Drug Store
for 17 years from 1960-1977 and then Director of Pharmacy for 25 years at
Harton Regional Medical Center from 1977 until his retirement March 11,
2002. While working at Harton, he survived 7 administrators. He served on
its Board of Trustees, Long Range Planning Committee, physician
recruitment, Sleep Disorders Clinic, The Neurodiagnostic Center, and
implemented the first pain management policies. In 1998 he and his
pharmacy received the Tennessee Pharmacist’s Association Innovative
Pharmacy Practice Award for innovative pharmacy practices resulting in
improved patient care and outcomes.
His most prestigious recognition was The Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1976,
the highest recognized peer-selected pharmacy award in Tennessee, for his
outstanding contribution to his community as civic leader, co-founder of
Harton Regional, and knowledgeable pharmacist. He was President of the
Tennessee Pharmaceutical Association and active in the National
Association of Retain Pharmacists. He provided local Tullahoma schools
with drug-free lectures, served as President of PTA, headed the Kiawanis
Operation Drug Alert, and served on the Mayor’s Committee on Drug Abuse.
He provided local Tullahoma schools with first aid supplies, and brought
interest to countless students to the field of pharmacology and other
health-related fields. As a small business owner, he was known to provide
medicines and drug store merchandise to those in need.
In addition, he served on the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary
Club, The Tullahoma Swim Club, and President of Lakewood Country Club. He
loved his wife, children, their spouses, and his grandchildren deeply. He
was an avid golfer (and made life-long friends at Lakewood Country Club),
a Tennessee Volunteer fan, fisherman, woodworker, and gardener. His was a
legend at growing tomatoes and loved to share them.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 at Kilgore
Funeral Home from 11:00am-2:00pm with a memorial service to immediately
follow at 2:00pm with Chris Roberts officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made in honor
of Wayne’s granddaughter, Carlee Beam, to the Cure SMA organization.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a form of Muscular Dystrophy is a disease
that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells
in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. To
make a donation, you may mail a check payable to CURE SMA in memory of
Wayne W. Beam, Sr. to 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, 60007.
To make an online donation, please visit www.curesma.org.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.