Frederick George Beardsley, age 81, of North Platte, Nebraska is now attending races in heaven with his eternal savior. Fred passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 16, 2021.
Fred was born on August 8, 1939 to William Melvin and Thelma I.J. Radcliffe Beardsley in Gothenburg, Nebraska. Fred married Donna Bruns on November 12, 1963. They raised their three children, Katherine, Fred Jr, and Debra, in North Platte, Nebraska, where they lived their entire 57 years of marriage.
Fred grew up in Gothenburg, Nebraska, graduating with the Class of 1957. Following graduation, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he spend four years from 1957 to 1962, traveling and enjoying many wonderful places. He loved telling stories about his Navy experiences.
After his discharge from the Navy, Fred primarily worked in the grocery business. He worked at Gibson's for nine years and Safeway for 16 1/2 years. He then spent 18 years as a greeter at Walmart and was remembered as the man with all the pins on his vest, who would way "Hi, hi, hi, fill it up," and the fact he always said he was "Super!"
Fred enjoyed life. His favorite things being his Lord and Savior, his family, classic cars, classic country and gospel music, and stockcar racing. Fred owned and drove his own stock car for four years. When his family grew, he decided to sell his car and help his best friend on his pit crew. Fred had been to racetracks in many states. When planning a vacation, he would check to see where there would be races. Fred and Donna had traveled to all 50 states.
Fred was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church since 1989. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
Fred was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jr; his parents, Bill and Thelma Beardsley; brothers, Bernard, Maurice and Lee Beardsley; sisters, Sarah Jane Parker and Winona Sedlacek; grandson-in-law, Steve Scott; in-laws, Fred and Effie Bruns; sisters-in-law, Esther Beardsley, LaVonna Beardsley and Laura Mae Hunt; and brothers-in-law, Millard Parker, Louis Sedlacek, and Cylde Hunt.
Fred is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Kathy (Larry) Walker of Gering, Nebraska and Deb (Jeff) Foote of North Platte, Nebraska; grandchildren, Fred III (Ashley) of Burleson, Texas, Jennifer (Hayden) Green of Katy, Texas, Katie (John Einfalt) Scott and Kristi Walker of Gering, Nebraska, Kelsey (Kyle) Bryan of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and Kolby (Shelby Strong) Foote of Lincoln, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Ireland, Tucker, Macie and Maddilyn; sister-in-law, Kay Beardsley of Sterling, Colorado; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce (Dan) Dolan of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews and their children. Fred loved them all.
Fred will also be missed by his non-bilogical son, Bryan (Christine) Herrick and their children and grandchildren Kandy, Casey (Ben), Katrina (Corbin), Karmin, Kamryn, Corey, Colesyn, Kierstyn, Maci and Bentley, Amelia and Arthur; plus several children whom he often claimed as his own through Donna's 47 years of childcare.
Memorials are suggested to the family: Donna Beardsley, 809 East 4th Street, North Platte, Nebraska 69101.
Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Bethel Evangelical Free Church at 2700 West Philip Ave in North Platte. The service will follow all current health directives regarding COVID-19 and masks are required. The service will be live-streamed via the Carpenter Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Interment will follow the service at the Merna Kilfoil Cemetery, just west of Merna, Nebraska. Visitation and book signing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, Nebraska. Casual dress is requested. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.