IN MEMORIAM
Paul A. Beames, 73, Sidney;
Retired From Marines, Scouts
SIDNEY – Paul Arthur Beames, 73, a Marine lieutenant colonel who on retirement pursued a second career with the Boy Scouts of America, passed away on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at his home in Sidney.
After retiring from Scouting, he served locally on the executive committee of the Leatherstocking Council BSA.
He was born on Sept. 19, 1945, son of Ralph O. and Irene (Lent) Beames at The Hospital in Sidney.
He graduated from Sidney Central School, Class of 1963, and attended SUNY Oneonta, receiving a bachelor’s in 1968 and master’s in counseling in 1979.
In 1968, Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps, and was designated a naval aviator/CH-46 helicopter pilot, in September 1970. During 24 years in the Marines, he served in the Western Pacific, South Vietnam, the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and various stateside bases. He retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1992.
He began a career with the Boy Scouts in July 1992 in Las Vegas, Nev. In 1997, he accepted a position in Denver, Colo., as a director of programs, properties and camping with the Denver Area Council BSA for two years before going back to Las Vegas. He retired from the Boy Scouts in 2002.
He returned to Sidney in 2004. In addition to the Leatherstocking Council, he served as past president of the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park Association, and director with the Sidney Youth Reservation Board. He was also a dedicated board member of the Sidney Central School Alumni Association.
Paul is survived by a sister, Patricia Beames Bargher; dear friend and caregiver, Patty Archambault; nieces, Lori Bargher Crandall (Mark) and Teri Bargher Kissel (Dale); nephews, David (Nancy) Bargher and Steven (Bridget) Bargher; grandnieces: Nicole Bargher (Ryan Richmond), Brandy Bargher (Nicholas Bednarz) and Jessica Bargher Bobek (Derek); grandnephews: Scott (Rachel) Crandall, Thomas Crandall and Zachary Bargher; great grandnephew, Liam Richmond and great grandniece, Finleigh Richmond, and his “boys”, Jose Alvarez, Rudy Ayala and Manuel Ayala and his beloved red golden retriever, Jake.
In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by brother-in-law, Burdette (Bud) Bargher; grand nephew, Andrew Crandall and grand niece, Kaylan Bargher, as well as his devoted canine companion, Buddy.
Friends may call 7-9 pm on Friday, Nov. 30, and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the funeral chapel.
Burial with military honors will take place in the spring in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney.
Share condolences online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.