Thomas Gordon Beebe , February 14, 1931 — October 08, 2018

Thomas “Tom” Gordon Beebe, age 87, passed away on October 8, 2018. Born in Pocatello, Idaho on February 14, 1931 to parents Thomas Melvin Beebe and Anne Marie Gordon Beebe. He arrived two months early and was placed in a bread pan on the wood stove to keep warm.

Tom was a lifelong Idahoan, he graduated from Pocatello High School in 1949 and Idaho State University in 1957. Tom served from 1951 to 1954, as a Sonarman 2nd Class, United States Navy, United Nations Forces aboard the USS A.A. Cunningham in the Korean Combat Zone and Blockade Fleet in Formosa and Occupation Forces in Japan. After returning to the United States, he was stationed aboard the USS Bryce Canyon in Long Beach, California.

Tom received many awards and citations in the Navy and served as Commander of Pocatello American Legion Post 4. Tom married Shirley May Mincer in 1953 at the Pocatello United Methodist Church and they and four children: Ray, Bobette, Cathy, and Tommy. For 32 years Tom worked at Idaho State University where he was a Master Electronics Instructor and Program Coordinator.

He served as President of the Idaho Industrial Training and Idaho Vocational Associations. He retired in 1989 with the rank of Instructor of Excellence. After retirement, Tom and Shirley spent time with friends in Casa Grande, Arizona, and took frequent journeys to Alaska to spend time with grandkids.

Tom and Shirley were “surrogate” parents to many of their kid’s friends in Idaho as well as Alaska. Tom was a true patriot and flew his flags daily at his home, making sure they were carefully cared for. He was privileged to spend his final days under the care of the wonderful staff at the Pocatello Veterans Home and Heritage Health.

In his short time there, Tom would proudly salute all the veteran residents and visitors. Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Beebe; brother Melvin (Barbra) Beebe; son Tommy (Holly) Beebe; daughter Cathy (Ken) Mayer; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara Fuger, daughter Bobette, and son Ray.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave. , Pocatello.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.

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