David Lamar Beecher, 83

Mr. David Lamar Beecher, Sr., age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Oak Park on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after a short illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at Olney Primitive Baptist Church in Oak Park with Elder William H. Durrence officiating and Alex Gregory delivering the eulogy. Interment followed in New Hope Cemetery in Lexsy. Family received friends Friday, March 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Davis Beecher, Jonathan Beecher, Braden Beecher, Hudson Beecher, Russ Yeomans, Will Donaldson, Cody Deal and Jon Milligan.

Mr. Beecher was born in 1941 to Fate and Sarah (Strange) Beecher. He attended Oak Park High School and later graduated from Georgia Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduation, Mr. Beecher began a teaching career at Oak Park School for one year and then moved to Swainsboro Elementary School from 1963 to 1970.

In the fall of 1970, Mr. Beecher became headmaster at David Emanuel Academy, a position he held for 7 years. Mr. Beecher’s passion for and dedication to the fledgling school enabled it to thrive and add new classrooms, a gymnasium, and a football field. Mr. Beecher’s unwavering and principled guidance inspired his faculty and staff, but most importantly the hundreds of students that benefited from his example of an unshakable commitment to David Emanuel Academy, and his constant concern for them as individuals. Mr. Beecher also served on the Board of Trustees of David Emanuel Academy for many years, helping to supervise the overall direction of the school. His devotion to David Emanuel Academy for over half a century has made him one of the most beloved members of the DEA family.

After leaving the education field, Mr. Beecher was employed for many years with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Consumer Protection Division as a registered professional sanitarian.

Mr. Beecher was also an active member of the Oak Park community. He was a member of Olney Primitive Baptist Church, serving as a deacon for many years. He, along with his family, was an ever-present fixture at community parades, festivals, and celebrations.

In his spare time, Mr. Beecher enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Mr. Beecher instilled his regard for the outdoors in his children and grandchildren who have spent countless happy hours on the family farm. His love of nature and the outdoors was a constant inspiration for many weekends of hunting and fishing get togethers, old-fashioned fish fries, and large family dinners. Time spent at the Beecher home was full of fun, fellowship, good home cooking, good friends, and lots of stories of memorable experiences.

Mr. Beecher is remembered as a loving family man, a man of integrity and compassion, a community leader, and a loyal friend. Mr. Beecher’s legacy will be the lasting influence that he has had on the lives of family, friends, students, and members of the community. Mr. Beecher was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Fate Beecher, Jr., Jennings Beecher and Robert Beecher.

Mr. Beecher is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Davis Beecher; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dave (Sally) Beecher, Mark (Kim) Beecher and Jim (Holly) Beecher; eight grandchildren, Davis, Jonathan, Lily Jane, Ashton, Braden, Madison, Hudson and Sarah Beth; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The Beecher family is sincerely grateful for the dedicated and untiring service of Mr. Beecher’s three caregivers Carolyn Snead, Brenda Smith and Theresa Evans, whose kindness and compassion were evident in all of their efforts on behalf of Mr. Beecher.

In addition to flower memorials, donations may be made to: Olney Primitive Baptist Church, P.O. Box 552, Vidalia, Georgia 30475.

Tomlinson Funeral Home and Crematory of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.