Philip Henry Beam, 86, of WaKeeney, Kansas, died following a stroke on 15 July 2018.

Philip was born in Dodge City, Kansas on February 3rd, 1932 to Henry Bridgeman Beam and Ruth Adeline Kirk. Adeline suffered from tuberculosis of the hip which necessitated walking on crutches and led to medical advice to not carry a pregnancy to term. Nevertheless, when she became pregnant, both she and Henry wanted their child so desperately that they risked Adeline’s life to bring Phil into the world. Adeline did survive the pregnancy and Philip became their only and much-loved son. They lived in different parts of Kansas over the years and Philip graduated high school in Emporia, Kansas before going on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry at University of California at Berkeley.

Philip was married first to Marjorie Lee Hammer and later to Barbara Jean Wedow, with whom he had two daughters, Rosemary Grace Beam de Azcona and Serena Ruth Beam Fox. He adored his girls beyond words and throughout his life, he made many sacrifices for their welfare. He instilled in his children a love of nature, creativity, and self-expression. Among their memories are his creative and caring bedtime stories and his renditions of the Wabash Cannonball.

Philip had a love of nature, the country, and especially trees. He served in the army as a construction engineer in Japan during the Korean War. He loved taking things apart and seeing how they worked, especially Saabs and computers. He was an avid reader and letter-writer. Introspective and concerned with solving problems, he literally tried to change the world one letter at a time. Philip suffered from depression and solitude over the years but late in life found a community in the long-term care facility at the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. There he found love again with Shirley Smith, made friends, sung and played the guitar, helped announce the bingo numbers, participated in a range of activities, explored different religions and, finally, reconnected with his daughters. It may have been one of the happiest times of his life.

Philip is survived by his daughter, Serena and son-in-law Jeffrey Fox of Lenexa, Kansas and his daughter, Rosemary, and granddaughter, Erin Nikte’ha’ Azcona-Beam, of Mexico City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Adeline and Henry and his beloved childhood dog, Snow Queen.

The memorial service will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney on Thursday the 19th at 10:30 am. Pastor Randy Gibbs of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be officiating. Inurnment will follow the funeral at the Wakeeney Veterans’ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Legion of WaKeeney. Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672. The family wishes to thank the employees of the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital who cared for Philip in recent years and provided comfort to him and his daughters in his final days.

Johnny Lemual Lawrence passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born on April 19, 1932 in Ellsworth, Kansas to the late John and Mary (Batthauer) Lawrence. Eighteen months later, after his mother died in childbirth, he and his older brother George went to live with their Grandfather and Grandmother Batthauer on the family farm near Dorrance, Kansas, as per their mother’s wishes. Together they grew up in the Dorrance area and Johnny graduated from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1951. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean conflict. On April 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Lillian Bricker in Lucas, Kansas.

After being honorably discharged, Johnny soon went to work for the Russell County Highway Department where he eventually became a Bridge Forman before retiring after more than 30 years of service. He also worked raising wheat crops and cattle ranching. To say that he and Lillian were avid Bingo fans would be an understatement. Together they travelled the local Bingo circuits wherever the game would take them and never failed to have a great time with friends, win or lose. Of course winning and crying out “Bingo” were always the preferred outcome of any event. Johnny was a member of the American Legion Post #334 of Dorrance.

Johnny is survived by his sons Don Lawrence and wife Judy of Omaha, NE, and Ronald Lawrence of Dorrance; daughter Virginia “Ginny” Hubka and husband Ron of Wilson; grandchildren Melissa and Andrew Tayles, Kevin Lawrence, Robert Lawrence, Kyle and Ashley Lawrence, Theresa Lawrence, Jeremy and Amber Hubka, Darcy and Dustin Vopat, and Toby and Richelle Hubka; and great-grandchildren Elise, Libby, Landon, Bailey, Liam, Sydney, and one-on-the-way.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Lawrence, wife Lillian Lawrence, infant son John Lawrence, Jr., son Alvin Lawrence, infant sister Mary Lawrence, and brother George Lawrence.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Dorrance. Inurnment will follow in the Dorrance City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home in Wilson. The family will receive friends during that time.