Thomas Beetem

Thomas E. Beetem, age 74, of Holts Summit, died Saturday, January 8, 2011, at the Capital Region Medical Center. He was born August 3, 1936, in Madison, Indiana, the son of Luther Franklin Beetem and Elizabeth Donnelly Beetem Holwager. On March 1, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was married to Nela Helen Edwards, who survives at the home. He was a 1958 graduate of the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He was the owner and operator of several drugstores in Jefferson City and was recognized as a pioneer in the areas of computerization, infusion care and long term care services. He served as a consultant pharmacist to over 30 nursing homes across the state as well as to the State of Missouri itself. He was a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and the Missouri Retailers Association. He enjoyed NCAA basketball, Cardinal baseball, feeding his birds and tending his water garden. Most of all, he enjoyed bragging about his kids and grandkids. He is also survived by his son, Jon Beetem and his wife, Jane and two grandchildren, Libby and Shelby, of Jefferson City; his daughter, Julie Anne Beetem of Pennsylvania; and his son, Dan Beetem and his wife, Judy and two grandchildren, Julian and Molly, of Ohio; his sister, Anne Vayhinger and her husband, Phil of Florida; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Beetem; and his sister, Mary Jane Irwin. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the School Backpack Program of the Central Missouri Food Bank, as this is a mission that Tom strongly believed in supporting. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com