"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in his way" Psalm 37:23.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Franklin Eugene Beach, a loving husband, devoted father, businessman, educator, farmer, and cherished member of the community, who passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025 at the age of 86 at CAMC Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends as he made his transition.

Frank was born March 10, 1938 in Alum Creek, WV to Nannie and Cecil Beach, both of whom preceded him in death.

Frank affectionately known as "Beach" graduated from State High School in 1957.  He attended Bluefield State College, graduated from West Virginia State University and received his Master of Arts Degree from Marshall University in Occupational Health and Safety.  Beach was  known as a big brother, a mentor and friend to many youth in his community.  Thus, with his ability in sports, he created the Beach Athletic Club for all youth, including those considered at-risk.  Young people were afforded the opportunity to learn not only boxing skills but relevant life-survival skills from a consummate professional who was a role model in athletics (boxing and baseball) and teaching others through his own life experiences.  Frank engaged young people in travel and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for youth  of all ethnicities throughout the state of West Virginia.  It is common for many young people to talk about their experience, their careers and the life skills they learned from Beach, while showcasing their talents in boxing and baseball.

Beach was an executive board member of the West Virginia All Black Schools Sports and Academic Hall of Fame, where he was inducted with the first group of honorees in 2008.  His outstanding work throughout his lifetime included leading his high school team to the State Negro High School Championship. While playing in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a conference mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities, Beach continued to remain a competitive player and managed to successfully negotiate his position on the team

As a member of the "W Club" of West Virginia State University, Frank was an active host of most events and encouraged the success of athletics at the university.  When asked what's changed in the last 10 years, he gave that bright smile and adamantly stated, "I just want to create a pathway for others to follow."

Frank is co-author with Dr. Phil Carter and the late Mr. Larry Peters of the documentary "Afro American Athletes in Appalachia", which traces the history of WV athleticism.

Frank entered West Virginia State College's High School in 1954, an all black school, where was the school's first and only white student graduating in 1957.  While in high school known for his athletic ability in basketball and was the first white athlete to play in the State Negro High School Basketball Tournament at West Virginia State's gymnasium.  Upon his high school graduation, Beach entered Bluefield State College and then transferred to WVSU where he played three years of basketball, baseball, and boxing.

Beach played in the WVIAC as well as being the first white student to play in the CIAA basketball conference.  In 1958, he played on the Bluefield State College team that finished third in the tournament, the first year of integrated tournament play.  In 1962, he played on the WVSU's baseball team that was runner up in the WVIAC Conference tournament.  He finished with a 3-0 pitching record and an ERA of 1.68.

After college, Beach coached football and track at Southwestern High School in Ohio and was a school teacher for 13 years in various schools between Ohio and West Virginia.  He trained amateur and professional fighters in Ohio and West Virginia for 45 years, producing many national Golden Glove champions.  Hundreds of young men boxed under his leadership.  He coached the W.Va. College All Stars basketball teams for 20 years in the AAU tournaments in the West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky areas.

He spent the majority of his life in Gallia County, Ohio raising his family, building homes and a multitude of structures. Tending to his farms, raising his cattle, horses, and other livestock was the joy of his life.

For the past 30 years, he was a proud grandfather who enjoyed watching his grandchildren excel in sports.  He was their biggest fan, and hardly ever missed a game or event.  He instilled in all of them, as well as others, that participation in sports builds character, leadership, morals and most importantly, discipline.  He wanted them all to be successful in every aspect of life.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his sisters, Velvia Aldrich, Norma Goodall, Violet Layne, and Jewell Bartlett; brothers, David, Paul, Wesley, Rondal, and Junior Beach; former wife, Connie Beach; and grandchildren, Chianni, Kiara, and Isaiah Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Lirerose Beach of Institute, WV; daughters, Kihianti Beach of Springfield, Ohio, Saun Beach Carson (Jonathan) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dawn Beach of Gallipolis, Ohio; sons, Frank Beach Jr. of Bidwell, Ohio, Felipe Beach (Hobie) of Thurman, Ohio, Aaron Beach (Amanda) of Gallipolis, Ohio, and Burley Geiger-Beach of Bidwell, Ohio; stepdaughters, Vanessa McLemore of Louisville, Kentucky, Dennise Rebalde (Kent) of Institute, West Virginia, and Danielle Foxx (David) of Dayton, Ohio; stepson, Paul Biniza (Lexi) of Red House, West Virginia; thirty-four grandchildren; thirty-five great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and extended family including Special Lifetime Friends, J.W. and Betty Spencer, and Cornelius "PaPa" Jones of Dunbar, West Virginia.

Frank will forever be remembered by his famous quote to the family, "Chief, you gotta want to do it".

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Christ the King Church 1508 Grosscup Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064 with Father John Finnell officiating.

Family will welcome friends one hour prior to the service at the the church.

Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10 in Cunningham Memorial Park. Frank Beach, Jr., Felipe Beach, Aaron Beach, Burley Geiger-Beach, Austin King, Raphael Mack, and Tony Mack will be serving as pallbearers.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.
www.kellerfuneralhome.net