Mr. STRATTON WORTH BEESLEY

FORT WORTH -- Stratton Worth Beesley died Saturday, September 28, 2019. He was born June 16, 1922 in Ponca City, Oklahama, the son of Wade Hampton and Hazel Emmeline Stratton Beesley. Stratton was eight when his father, a WW I veteran, died of tuberculosis in San Angelo. He graduated from San Angelo High School and San Angelo Junior College before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. During WW II he was a tail gunner with the 15th Air Force, 450 Bomb Group. On his eleventh mission his B-24 was shot down and the crew ditched in the Mediterranean Sea where they spent three days in life rafts before being picked up by German rescue and sent to Stalag Luft IV for a year. Stratton married Jean Etta Stepp on July 29, 1945. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin; was a geophysicist for Shell Oil Company; VP Precision Cable Company; Director Adjoint Alreg Algiers, Algeria; and Owner Petro Land Consultants. Strat was an avid UT fan, enjoying over 60 years of Longhorn football, traveling to Austin and points beyond for the games and always getting to Dallas for the Red River Shoot Out with OU. The Beesleys loved to travel and recall trips to Mexico, Europe, North Africa, Asia and most states. His greatest past time was fishing in Port Aransas and with the Texas Marlin Derby. Strat is remembered as a remarkably kind man who adored being with friends and family – often heard toasting in several languages, including French: “À votre santé” and Spanish: “Salud, amor, y dinero y el tiempo para gozarlos”. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wade Hampton Beesley Jr. and Jack Houston Beesley; and granddaughter, Katherine Eve Beesley. Survivors: Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 74 years, Jean; daughter, Reece Small and husband, Don; son, Stratton Worth Beesley Jr.; grandchildren, Brook Whitworth and Whistle, Regan Reid and Josh, and Bill Beesley; and great-grandchildren, Anna and Stratton Whitworth, Oliver and Eden Reid; Nieces and nephews, Sandy Barnes and Bill, Hamp Beesley and Bonnie, Dre Beesley and Jaimie, Robin Mix and Tom, and Jack Beesley and Bernadette. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. STRATTON WORTH BEESLEY please visit our Sympathy Store.