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Obituary (CA): Thomas Tyler Beattie Jr. '51

Posted on 10/10/2018

Thomas T. Beattie  (May 3, 1927 - Aug. 26, 2018)

Thomas T. Beattie died at 91 in Coronado on Aug. 26, 2018. born in Vallejo, California, he was the son of Captain Thomas T. Beattie and Katharine Brown Beattie, for decades residents of Coronado.

Tom’s Navy heritage was deep, including both of his maternal grandfathers being Navy admirals. In 1937 they were part of the Navy’s exodus from Chifu, China, when the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Fleet was about to be under siege.

As was customary, the Navy family traveled to various assignments in the United States and the Far East before settling in Coronado. After graduation from Coronado High School in 1944, Tom and several classmates were immediately inducted into the Navy together. In 1951 he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, following in the footsteps of ancestors.

During his career, Tom received various medals and campaign ribbons for service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, where he was an advisor to the Vietnamese River Force.

After retiring from the Office of Naval Intelligence in 1970, he returned to Coronado where he joined the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla as a research vessel operator for six years.

Tom was predeceased by his sister, Anne Beattie Kirk of Coronado. He is survived by her sons Tyler S. Kirk and Todd S. Kirk of California; his cousin Katharine B. Free of Los Angeles; long time cherished friend since kindergarten, Charlotte M. Butterfield of Coronado.

Tom wished to sincerely thank Ryan Ravelo and his mother Milagros Ravelo who served six years as faithful, loved and professional caregivers.

Most gratefully, he wished to also thank his wonderful Sharp Hospice Care team for their 16 months of visiting and ensuring his comfort and stable health, especially Jessica Gonzalez, Aihida Vela and Robin Phillips.

Donations may be made to Sharp Hospice Care, P.O. Box 158, La Mesa, CA 91944-0158, or at www.give.sharp.com/tribute-hospice, if one wishes.

His ashes will be interned at Fort Rosecrans on Oct. 22, 2018. Friends are welcome to attend.

Coronado Journal & Eagle
Wednesday, October 3, 2018