More detail on this person: CONWAY - Samuel "Sam" Gallatin Beal, 90, of Conway died from
complications of infection Friday, July 26, 2013, with his treasured daughters and extended family
by his side.
Sam was born March 25, 1923, in Little Rock, where he graduated from Little Rock High School, now
Little Rock Central High School, in 1941. After two memorable trips to California, one with his
cousin and lifelong best friend, Ros Smith, he underwent naval flight training in 1943 and was
designated an aviator in the Marine Air Corps later that same year. On Nov. 27, 1943, Sam married
Billie Corinne Shryock, his beloved wife of almost 58 years. He served 30 years in the military,
including serving in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During his career, he earned
the rank of colonel and received distinctions such as the Legion of Merit Medal for Valor, the
Distinguished Flying Cross Medal with Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Navy
and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and two Purple Heart medals. He served as an observer for the
Joint Chiefs of Staff. After retiring, he attended classes at the University of Central Arkansas and
completed a bachelor's degree in accounting, having had his initial enrollment suspended while
serving his country.
The fourth of nine siblings, Samuel Gallatin was affectionately known among his siblings as "Gaggy."
Loved ones remember his friendship, hospitality, quick wit, and love of life and laughter. He was an
active member of the Lost Chord Club of Central Arkansas, First Baptist Church in Conway, Centennial
Country Club and the Conway Country Club. A golf enthusiast and natural athlete, he regularly
attended rounds of golf with friends and continued his military "PT" throughout his twilight years
with daily runs through his neighborhood, workouts at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center,
and extended solo hikes in the Arkansas Ozarks well into his 80s. Sam had a love for his community.
His grandchildren delighted in his impromptu tours of "Beautiful Downtown Conway," which always
included a stop at the historic home of "Camama" and "Daddy Smith," Samuel Gallatin Beal and Ellen
Grisard Smith, his grandparents. Family and friends fondly recall Sam's love of family holidays,
especially "Granddad's Christmas Party," an annual tradition spanning more than three decades. He
often regaled loved ones with renditions of "Ramblin' Rose," and "I Did It My Way," "Everybody Loves
Somebody" and other Rat Pack favorites.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Knott Beal; his mother, Leila Ellen Smith Beal; wife,
Billie Shryock Beal; sisters, Leila Beal Bevensee, Medora Beal Grissom, Lenora Beal Lefever and
Elizabeth Beal Mayhew; and son James Gallatin Beal. He is survived by brothers Joseph Turner Beal of
Kettering, Ohio, Robert Knott Beal Jr. of Little Rock, and James Harrison Beal of San Marcos,
Calif.; sister, Catherine Ruth Beal Erickson of Des Moines, Iowa; cousin, Samuel Theodore "Ros"
Smith Jr. of Conway; daughters, Karen Elaine Beal Gardner and Anne Elizabeth Beal Lasowski;
grandchildren, Natalie Ghidotti, Becca Green, Matthew Gardner, Jessie Beal, Brandon Lasowski,
Jonathan Gardner, Ashley Wilson and Jennifer Lasowski; great-grandchildren, Nathan Ghidotti, Corinne
Ghidotti, Noah Lasowski and Landon Lasowski; and cherished friend Kay Mayes.
A visitation will be held at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home, 801 8th Ave., Conway, Ark., 72032,
Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 p.m. A celebration of Sam's life, officiated by Dr. Dale Wicker, will be held
Wednesday, July 31, 1 p.m., also at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home. He will be interred alongside
wife Billie, at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
the Conway Regional Health Foundation, 2302 College Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034 and The First Baptist
Church of Conway, 1719 Robinson Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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