James "Jim" Dawson Beasley

James "Jim" Dawson Beasley died peacefully on October 11, 2023, at the age of 76. He was the proud father of Elizabeth and Sarah Logan, and loving "Papa" to his two grandchildren, Chetty and Logan. Jim was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 5, 1947, to Ed and Martha Beasley. As a young boy, he moved with his parents and brothers, Tom and David, to Jacksonville, Florida. There he was educated in public schools until his graduation from Forrest High School in 1965. Jim was a hard worker from the start and supported himself and his family through high school while working for his father's Gulf Oil gas station, Winn Dixie, Morrison's Cafeteria, and the A&P Bakery. He was a proud Eagle Scout and demonstrated a natural talent for the arts as a young man, a passion that he cultivated in his later years through watercolor and acrylic painting, pencil sketches, and bonsai. In 1965, Jim boarded a Greyhound bus bound for Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. While at FSU, Jim worked for Eastern Airlines, a job which gave him lots of tales to tell in his later years and a front row seat to aviation—another love of his life. He completed his undergraduate studies during intense Vietnam War years knowing that he was likely to be drafted into the military after graduation in 1969. His time with Eastern Airlines and his longtime admiration of fighter jets and aircraft in general inspired him to become a Navy or Air Force pilot. After successfully completing rounds of tests, interviews, and test flights, Jim received the unfortunate news that an imperfection in his vision would prevent him from being a front-seat pilot for either branch. He took this bad news in stride and visited an Army recruiter who encouraged him to enlist. After Jim graduated from FSU in 1969 but before starting his training with the Army in the fall, he spent a fun summer working for Shawnee Airlines in Gainesville, Florida. Decades later, while stargazing with his daughters at St. George Island, he enjoyed retelling his experience of driving down to Cape Canaveral one night after work that summer to watch from the beach as Apollo 11 took off for the moon. Jim's Army years took him all over the United States, but he ultimately ended up with an assignment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he worked as a company clerk. He was able to observe the day-to-day work of Army lawyers in this position, and this ultimately inspired him to apply for law school. He applied to UGA, UF, and FSU, and was accepted at all three. Although he was tempted by Georgia's program, Jim knew his heart was in Tallahassee, and he returned for law school in 1971. Jim graduated from FSU Law School in 1974 and joined the Ausley McMullen law firm, where he would remain for the rest of his career until his retirement in 2022. During his more than four decades with the firm, Jim became an expert in public utility law and was recognized as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Energy Law. Jim made lifelong friends through his work at Ausley and paid it forward through his devoted involvement with Big Bend Hospice and the LeMoyne Art Foundation. He was an avid supporter of local artists, including Michael Harrell and Ron Yrabedra. He also found joy spending time with his family while boating up and down the Apalachicola River, the Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. By his example, Jim taught his daughters the importance of hard work, the value in serving others, and the joy of finding beauty in art and nature. Jim took his responsibilities seriously, but he always had time for a little silliness and a story to tell from his colorful life. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, Chetty and Logan. He always had cookies and lemonade and a chest full of toys ready for them at his house, but they were always particularly excited about trying on his vast collection of hats on his hat stand in his bedroom. He is predeceased by his father, Thomas Edward Beasley, Sr.; mother, Martha Monk Beasley; and youngest brother, David Aaron Beasley. Jim is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Beasley Smith (Chesterfield H. Smith, III) and Sarah Logan Beasley (Patrick Bateman) of Tallahassee; brother, Thomas Edward Beasley, Jr. (Pixie Anne Beasley) of Jacksonville; and grandchildren, Chetty and Logan Smith. Jim also leaves behind his nieces, Katherine Lines Gatton (Tim Gatton), Margaret Munroe Lines; nephews, Benjamin Beasley, John Dupont Lines, Aaron David Beasley; great-niece, Margot Gatton, and other family members, along with the many close friends he made along the way, especially Jacki Youngstrand, Scott Dick, Doug Bruce, John Rowe, Billy Stiles, Dee Brown, and “the Walking Boys.” In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim's memory to Big Bend Hospice or the LeMoyne Art Foundation. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Carriage House at Goodwood Museum & Gardens on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Beasley family with their arrangements.

Tributes

James "Jim" Dawson Beasley

June 5, 1947 - October 11, 2023