Obituary for James Lyle Beiter
James Lyle Beiter of Dawsonville passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from complications due to COVID-19 and underlying Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's diseases.
Jim was born January 2, 1942 in Elyria, Ohio. He was one of six siblings raised in Ohio by Robert and Jane Beiter. He learned auto mechanics at a young age growing up in Ohio where he spent time on the truck lot of his father’s and uncle's trucking business, The Beiter Line. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!) with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. He married his Elyria Catholic High School sweetheart, Shirley Marie Fritz, who he had known since attending school together starting in the first grade. Jim and Shirley started dating as Juniors in high school then shared 56 wonderful married years together raising four children and sharing their love with 13 beautiful grandchildren:
Jim, Jr and wife, Lara- Ashleigh, Ryan
Julie and husband, Chip- Bradley, Connor, Paige, Madison
Jill and husband, Steve- Emily, Chelsey
Jason and wife, Lucy- Ted, Claire, Jack, Sam, Frances
After college Jim served as an officer in the Transportation Corp of the United States Army and served 11 months overseas in the Vietnam War. After his service in the Army he and Shirley moved to Pompano Beach, Florida where he had a 34 year career with Bell South (now AT&T). In Florida, while a dedicated employee of the telecommunications company, he found his deepest enjoyment being outside with family and raising his four children with Shirley. He spent his free time coaching, boating, diving, fishing, golfing, wood-working and attending large family gatherings where he loved to cook and share time together with family and friends. Jim was a generous person of many talents and was widely known for his ability to fix just about anything including cars thanks to his background.
In 2003, Jim and Shirley retired to the Chestatee community in Dawsonville, Georgia where they enjoyed the peaceful north Georgia surroundings and their wonderful neighbors. Jim continued to boat, golf and build furniture. By far he got his most joy out of spending time with Shirley watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He and Shirley also spent time traveling on exciting vacations with family and attending various weddings of their large families. Importantly, he and Shirley joined Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church where they built cherished relationships over the last 17 years.
While Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s took over the last few years of Jim’s life and COVID presented unimaginable challenges, Shirley was lovingly with him every day. Gratefully, he was always surrounded by caring family and friends and, over the last 16 months, the devoted caretakers at the Oaks at Hampton Memory Care facility.
Over his 78 years on Earth Jim was wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. There is no doubt that for eternity in heaven he will continue to love Shirley, the girl he met in the first grade over 70 years ago!
A private memorial mass will be held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint Vincent DePaul Society at Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church or Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church.
Jim was born January 2, 1942 in Elyria, Ohio. He was one of six siblings raised in Ohio by Robert and Jane Beiter. He learned auto mechanics at a young age growing up in Ohio where he spent time on the truck lot of his father’s and uncle's trucking business, The Beiter Line. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!) with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. He married his Elyria Catholic High School sweetheart, Shirley Marie Fritz, who he had known since attending school together starting in the first grade. Jim and Shirley started dating as Juniors in high school then shared 56 wonderful married years together raising four children and sharing their love with 13 beautiful grandchildren:
Jim, Jr and wife, Lara- Ashleigh, Ryan
Julie and husband, Chip- Bradley, Connor, Paige, Madison
Jill and husband, Steve- Emily, Chelsey
Jason and wife, Lucy- Ted, Claire, Jack, Sam, Frances
After college Jim served as an officer in the Transportation Corp of the United States Army and served 11 months overseas in the Vietnam War. After his service in the Army he and Shirley moved to Pompano Beach, Florida where he had a 34 year career with Bell South (now AT&T). In Florida, while a dedicated employee of the telecommunications company, he found his deepest enjoyment being outside with family and raising his four children with Shirley. He spent his free time coaching, boating, diving, fishing, golfing, wood-working and attending large family gatherings where he loved to cook and share time together with family and friends. Jim was a generous person of many talents and was widely known for his ability to fix just about anything including cars thanks to his background.
In 2003, Jim and Shirley retired to the Chestatee community in Dawsonville, Georgia where they enjoyed the peaceful north Georgia surroundings and their wonderful neighbors. Jim continued to boat, golf and build furniture. By far he got his most joy out of spending time with Shirley watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He and Shirley also spent time traveling on exciting vacations with family and attending various weddings of their large families. Importantly, he and Shirley joined Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church where they built cherished relationships over the last 17 years.
While Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s took over the last few years of Jim’s life and COVID presented unimaginable challenges, Shirley was lovingly with him every day. Gratefully, he was always surrounded by caring family and friends and, over the last 16 months, the devoted caretakers at the Oaks at Hampton Memory Care facility.
Over his 78 years on Earth Jim was wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. There is no doubt that for eternity in heaven he will continue to love Shirley, the girl he met in the first grade over 70 years ago!
A private memorial mass will be held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint Vincent DePaul Society at Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church or Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church.