Thomas Beadles

Thomas Harvey Beadles, 102, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

He was born Jan. 4, 1910, in Cairo, Ill., to Jesse Asa and Zada Wade Beadles. He and Virginia Vandivort were married May 5, 1936, at Christ Episcopal Church. She died May 24, 2003.

Thomas was a 1926 graduate of Cairo High School and attended Hollywood High School in the summer of 1925. He was a 1928 graduate of Millikin University and received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1932.

He worked for U.S. Engineers Memphis District Seasonal and Soil Conservation Service CCC Camps in Springfield, Ill., and Champaign, Ill. Thomas became a certified public accountant in 1936. He was a partner with Gauger and Diehl CPAs in Decatur, Ill., from 1936 to 1943. He was treasurer of Illinois Lumber Manufacturing Co. in Cairo from 1943 to 1953. He was with First Bank and Trust Co. in Cairo, owner of Manor Motel in Cairo from 1953 to 1967, and vice president of finance and vice president of the board of directors of ServiceMaster Co. in Downers Grove, Ill., from 1967 to 1977.

Thomas was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Shriners Ainad Temple, Masons, Scottish Rite, Kentucky Colonels, Rotary Club and First Presbyterian Church of Cairo.

He was the founder of Southern Foundation Inc., organized the Presby Tips Foundation, was mayor of Cairo from 1963 to 1967, director of Cairo Public Utility, president of Cairo Chamber of Commerce and Cairo Rotary Club, chairman of Southern Medical Center, and elder at First Presbyterian Church.

Thomas also received the following recognitions and awards: Harry L. Bolen Community Benefit City of Cairo, Allen E. Moss Sr. Public Service, Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, Kiwanis Club Outstanding Community Service, ServiceMaster Influence Lives and Personal Development, Rotary Service to Youth through Southern Foundation, Recognition as founder of Southern Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Life Achievement Award for contribution to community and Tri-State Area.

Survivors include a son, John A. Beadles of Kennesaw, Ga.; two daughters, Patricia Bangert (Richard) of Cape Girardeau, Louise Gail Hercules (Richard) of Oxford, Miss., and Park City, Utah; six grandchildren, Julia Kohlberg (Ken), Dr. Karen Bangert (Tom Muir), R. Thomas Bangert, John W. Beadles (Meho), Asa Baker (Janice), and Jesse Hercules (Jennifer); 10 great-grandchildren, Laura Muir, Robert Kohlberg, Stephanie Kohlberg, Emily Muir, Patrick Kohlberg, Jennifer Beadles, Michelle Beadles, Jessica Muir, Joshua Beadles and Johnathan Kohlberg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a grandson, Andrew Kent Beadles, on June 9, 2012.

There is no visitation.

Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Cape County Memorial Park, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to Southern Foundation.

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