Jerry Beaver

Jerry Raymond Beaver, 75, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, June 19, 2022, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Dec. 13, 1946, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Raymond and Dorothy Singmaster Beaver.

Jerry grew up in Sterling, Illinois, and graduated from Sterling High School in 1965. He attended college and then enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War.

Following military service, he came to Cape Girardeau where his family had moved. For more than 40 years, Jerry managed the Pladium (now D'ladiums) Sports Bar on Broadway. There he met thousands of friends, employees and customers who knew him as "Beav" or "Pard."

He enjoyed being outdoors and had many great times fishing, camping and floating. He attended the Indianapolis 500 more than 50 times. He enjoyed motorcycle trips, including many trips to Daytona Bike Week.

Beav was a proud supporter of Southeast Missouri State University athletics, especially the baseball team. Some of his favorite afternoons were on the first base parking lot in Capaha Park.

A loyal friend to so many, he was also the best brother and proud uncle.

Survivors include two sisters, Diane (Bob) Johnson of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Susan (Fred) Younghouse of Cape Girardeau; two stepbrothers, Tom Waltz of Kirkwood, Missouri, and J. Fred Waltz of Cape Girardeau; three nephews, Jonathan Younghouse of San Antonio, Texas; Michael (Molly) Johnson of Mission Hills; and Matthew Younghouse of Cape Girardeau; two nieces, Jennifer Johnson (fiance Mark Allen) of Mission Hills and Emily (Justin) Thornton of Overland Park, Kansas; and four great-nephews, Teddy, Bobby and Henry Johnson, and Tucker Thornton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Frank Waltz.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A private memorial service with full military honors will be held Friday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Loren Boettcher officiating. Inurnment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Avenue of Flags, VFW Post 3838m 1049 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Southeast Missouri State University Baseball, 1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.