Edward Joe Beauchamp, the 7th child of Edward Alva Wilson Beauchamp and Eva Reta Wolf Beauchamp went to Glory on March 18, 2025.
Joe was born in the old Mt. Carmel Hospital on the 29th of Nov. 1931. In Joe’s early years, he lived in the area of Mindenmines, Missouri, where he attended the first grade and fell in love with his teacher, Goldie Bolton. The Beauchamp family moved to Pittsburg in 1936, Joe attended Washington grade school, Lakeside Grade and Junior High School, and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1949. He then graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1953.
Joe served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956, based in Munich, Germany. He worked for Phillips Petroleum Company, retiring in 1986 as Director of Contract Negotiations of Southeast Asia.
In retirement, Joe was active in his church and the Pittsburg community. For over 60 years membership was held in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) serving 2 terms as Moderator, leader of several committees and Joe was honored by being named Elder Emeritus. Joe deepened his true relationship with Christ through his lifelong association with the Mindenmines Christian Church.
Joe was a Board Member and delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, reader for Audio Reader, Board Member for the Salvation Army, Friends of the Pittsburg Public Library, the Library Foundation, life member of the Mt. Carmel Auxiliary, and for many years worked as a Red Coat at Mt. Carmel. In the early years of Project Warmth, he and Norman Grassi were the chili cooks. Joe served as President and later as Treasurer of the Little Balkans Heritage Preservation Guild, the Stilwell Foundation, American Red Cross Blood Service Board of Directors-Central Plains Region, and Board Chairman of the Pittsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross. Joe served as President of the Kiwanis. Joe was a member of the PSU Foundation. He received the 1996 Spirit of Pittsburg Award. Joe was a founding member of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
He is survived by sister, Mary Louise Beauchamp Deill; ten nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews in which he had a very special relationship with each one. Friends are family you get to choose. Joe added the Mitchelson family to his. He believed friends were his earthly gift from God. One of his favorite times of the day was when he shared a “wee nip” with Martin Barber.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Frank Pierce Beauchamp, and sisters, Reta Mae Beauchamp, Frances Loraine Beauchamp Jones, Ada Barbara Beauchamp Jones, Mabel Pauline Beauchamp Allmon; his nephews: Jeffrey Bernerd Allmon, Andrew Bernard Allmon, and Bob Lee Jones; nieces, Teresa Ann Beauchamp, Frances Ann Beauchamp Jones, Eva Kay Beauchamp Harrington, and Nancy Louise Deill Johnson.
Joe’s body has been donated to the University of Kansas for medical research. A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Brenner Mortuary with his niece, Christine Jones-Leavy officiating, with the eulogy by his niece, Suzy Deill Boldrini. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service on Sunday, at the funeral home. A celebration will immediately follow the memorial service at the Frisco. Joe would appreciate any contributions to the Mindenmines Christian Church. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences can be left at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.
