Dr. W. Don Beaver, longtime chemistry professor and academic administrator at Southern Nazarene University, went peacefully to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 29, 2014, at the age of 90. Don was born May 7, 1924 in Elkhart, Kansas, to the late Rev. H.J. Beaver and Mable Merryman, Nazarene pastors. At four, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska where his parents became pastors of Omaha First Nazarene Church. His mother was also a math teacher. After graduating from high school in 1941, Don traveled to Bethany, Oklahoma to enroll at Bethany-Peniel College. Little did he know how life changing that decision would be! At BPC, Don developed his passion for chemistry. Don met and then married the love of his life, Joy Beaver, thanks to being seated alphabetically in chapel - Beaver, Don, Beaver, Joy. It further marked the start of Don's lifelong commitment to that very institution, which would become Bethany Nazarene College and then Southern Nazarene University. Following graduation from BPC, Don pursued graduate studies at O.S.U., earning his M.S. and then his Ph.D. in chemistry. After one year teaching high school algebra, he joined the BPC faculty in 1948 as a chemistry, physics and math professor. Rising through the ranks, Don soon became the Chemistry Department Chair, and later Chair of the Science Division. He loved his teaching and association with the students and the students loved him, dedicating two yearbooks to him, one in 1971. He also served as faculty sponsor for the Class of 1960 and then student council faculty advisor for 12 years in the 60's and early 70's. Because SNU had such a strong pre-med program, Don saw the opportunity to develop a nursing program. His dream was to send out highly skilled and compassionate Christian nurses to make a difference in the world. He researched and spent hours before state boards and other licensing organizations before initiating and implementing the nursing program on campus. Recognizing his administrative talents in addition to his teaching skills, the administration tapped Don in 1976 to serve as Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies and Institutional Research. In 1978, by a unanimous vote of the board, Don became the Vice President and Academic Dean, overseeing faculty, curriculum, budgets, academic record keeping, and inter-institutional academic affairs. While in office, Don felt the need of working adults, who often wanted but were unable to complete their bachelor and master's degrees, so he researched, initiated, and implemented an Adult Studies Program for Working Adults. He also established the Tulsa Center Adult Studies Programs. Preferring to "wear out and not rust out," after Don retired as Vice President and Academic Dean in 1991, he stayed on for 15 more years to serve the institution he loved and was involved in institutional research and also assisted the president with special campus projects. Soon after his retirement, SNU honored Don's unwavering service and exceptional scholarship by naming its science building the "W. Don Beaver Science Building." In addition to his commitment to Christian higher education and Southern Nazarene University, Don enjoyed being a longtime member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. There, he served on the church board and various committees, including the building committee for the educational unit. Throughout his life, Don loved to sing and people loved to listen to his beautiful tenor voice. While at BPC, he found many opportunities to share his vocal talents on campus, including singing in the A Cappella Choir and also a men's quartet. Don went on to sing in the Bethany First Church choir for fifty years, and he performed in many musical ensembles and was a frequent soloist. "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," one of his many signature songs, became a Christmas tradition at BFC. Wherever he went and whatever he chose or felt called to do, Don's Christlike character shone through. He was known for his unfailing integrity, thoughtful wisdom, ready kindness, tireless perseverance, and tender heart. He enjoyed his long life and was always ready for a new challenge, including downhill snow-skiing, which he started at 68. He loved a corny joke and his quick, quiet wit often brought a smile to his face and surprised and delighted those around him. Don played many roles and positively impacted thousands of students, professors, administrators, and others throughout his time here. Above all, he was a faithful, devoted husband and a fun-loving, gentle dad, who was never too tired to help with algebra. He delighted in his four loving grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his older brothers, Robert and Rudy. He is survived by his wife, Joy Beaver, with whom he celebrated 68 wonderful years of marriage, two daughters, a son-in-law, and four grandchildren: daughter, Gina McGarry and husband Mike McGarry and their children, Erin (married to Nathan Velders), and Matthew Don; and daughter, Jill Beaver and her children, Xiaochun and Mei. Viewing will be Thursday, 9am-9pm, with family present from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams. The funeral service for Don will be held at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, October 3, at 2:00pm. Burial will be at the Bethany Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Don Beaver Memorial Scholarship Fund at Southern Nazarene University. Funeral Service Friday, October 3, 2014 02:00 PM Bethany First Church of the Nazarene 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008