James C. Beeson (Jim), age 94, passed away November 20, 2023. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on December 22, 1928 as the second child of Clyde and Thelma Beeson. He had an older sister Mary and a younger brother Barry. Jim grew up in Topeka and attended Highland Park High School, graduating in 1946. While still in high school, he acquired a strong interest in aviation and procured his pilot's license at age sixteen. He worked at Pelletier's Department Store for several years as a buyer and marketing designer, but soon discovered that flying was his true passion. Jim subsequently went to work in the aviation industry as a procurement specialist. As his aviation career progressed, he and his brother Barry established a Cessna dealership in Topeka and started one of the first air charter operations in Kansas in 1963. While in Topeka, he had four children. Michael, SA, John, and Robert by a previous marriage.

Several years later, Jim joined a wholesale airplane dealership in Oklahoma City and sold Piper airplanes to dealerships across the Midwest. While in Oklahoma City, he met Glenda, his current wife. They have been married for forty-seven wonderful years. Jim then retired from the aviation business, worked, and retired from Discover Card. His final retirement was from his co-owned company, Aircraft Door Seals of Oklahoma City.

Jim and Glenda enjoyed flying, sailing, ballroom dancing and golf. Jim continued to fly into his eighties and received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA for sixty years of flying without a single incident. His passion for flying has passed down to his family with Glenda, SA, John, and his granddaughter, Amy all becoming pilots. He also won multiple trophies for his excellence in ballroom dancing.

Jim is survived by his wife Glenda, of Oklahoma City, his children Michael and wife Hennie of Aptos, CA; SA and significant other Tee of Tulsa, OK; John and wife Debra of Broomfield, CO; and Robert of Watsonville, CA; his grandchildren, Amanda, Helen, Amy and Christopher; and four great grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Thelma Beeson; his brother, Barry; and his sister, Mary.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City at 10 am Tuesday November 28, 2023.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City.