Gene Beach

Gene Paul Beach age 83, passed away peacefully the morning of June 16, 2023. He was born March 9, 1940 to James Paul and Clara Marie (King) Beach.

Gene was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and raised in Tulsa. He was the oldest of 6 children and he lost his mother when he was only 11. Gene had to grow up quickly and he learned the value of hard work. When he was young, he traveled with his uncle setting up carnival rides. This same uncle, gave him the advice to study math - "The more math you know, the further you will get in life." He took this advice to heart and later studied and worked in the accounting field. Gene graduated from Central High School in Tulsa. During his high school years, he often worked 2 jobs - Froug's department store selling shoes, and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce.

Shortly after high school, on November 19, 1958, at the age of 18, Gene married Audrey "Geri" Beach. They were married 64 years until her passing on February 5, 2023. It was because of Geri that Gene came to know the Lord. His life was changed forever. Gene and Geri were very much in love. They left behind drawers full of cards, love letters and poems that they written to each other. Gene took care of Geri throughout their marriage and her health challenges right up until the end.

Gene greatly loved our Lord Jesus Christ and committed his life to serving Him. He spent most of his life, reading and studying the word of God and praying faithfully. Gene was very disciplined in his prayer life. He prayed for his wife, for his children, grandchildren, friends, and many strangers that he would come in contact with. He persistently prayed through both good and hard times, trusting the Lord's will, timing, and direction. He lived a life of faith.

After high school, Gene began working at Oral Robert's Evangelistic Association, while attending Tulsa University. He worked his way up from mail room, to the accounting department. During the summer of 1970, he formed a church that met on Saturdays in the town of Osage in near Keystone Lake. He called this church the "Son Spot". His approach was to have a church in a small town that would provide both fellowship and service. In the summer of 1972, he moved his family to Little Rock, AR., where he worked as an accountant for May Construction. While in Little Rock, he started Macedonia Ministries, a ministry with an objective to help small churches grow in attendance by going door-to-door through surrounding neighborhoods. He also organized a library of sermons from various pastors that could be checked out by mail. Gene started a type setting business in Little Rock called Prestige Graphics for printing and publishing.

In 1979 Gene moved his family back to Tulsa, OK. He continued his ministry and typesetting business. In 1988 he received a Certificate of Ordination from the American Association of Evangelical Christian Ministries. In1989 he earned a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Southwest Biblical Seminary. Gene later returned to the accounting department at Oral Roberts and then worked for Account Temps until his retirement.

Gene was an avid reader and writer. He enjoyed taking Bible studies from "Bible Study Fellowship" as well as taking writing classes. He put together a book titled "Faith Lifts" that was full of biographical sketches, short stories, quotes, personal stories and ended with a study of the book of Revelation.

Gene is survived by his son Brian Keith Beach and wife Kristina. Grandchildren Andrew and wife Lauren and Amberlyn. His daughter Gena Kelli (Beach) Johnson and husband Koeby. Grandchildren Kolten and wife Abby, Kaitlyn, & Kameryn Johnson. Sister-in law Deloris Randall and nephews Larry and Thomas Randall.

In the beginning of his book, "Faith Lifts" Gene noted Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) "As water reflects a mans face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Gene knew hard times, rejection, and loneliness. It was his discipline in praying, reading the word of God and service to our Lord Jesus Christ, that gave him the strength to keep his heart in check. Like Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12 & 13 I know what is is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who gives me strength.