Ray Edgar Beam Jr.

Ray Edgar Beam Jr., 79, Kokomo, died at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 8, 2012 at St. Joseph Hospital emergency room.  He was born December 24, 1932 in Warren, Ohio, the son of Ray E. and Evelyn (Joseph) Beam Sr.  On September 13, 1975, he married Mary Ann Armfield.

 Ray grew up in Plymouth, before moving to Indianapolis to live with his father.  He graduated from Arsenal Tech High School and attended Butler University School of Pharmacy.  He worked at Mallory Metallurgical as a Powder Metallurgist, where he earned many patents.  He was a 50 year member of the Greentown Masonic Lodge F&AM 341.  He was also a member of the Scottish Rite, Shrine Club and Grotto.

 He was a life-long science fiction fan.  He won the Science Fiction Hall of Fame Award and the Sam Moskowitz Archive Award. In addition he was former Guest of Honor at several conventions. His favorite outdoor activities included cave exploring and Indy Car Racing.

Ray is survived by his first wife, Susie Rivers of Brownsburg; second wife, Mary Ann Beam of Kokomo; children, John Wesley (Debbie) Beam, Christopher Ray Beam, Wesley Daniel Beam , all of Kokomo, Catherine Turner of Franklin; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter and elder daughter, Nancy.

A Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, Lincoln Road Chapel, 1315 West Lincoln Road.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday.  Private burial will be held in Crown Point Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital – Burn Unit or the Masonic Home in Franklin, with envelopes available.

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