Kelly C. Beasley

Kelly C. Beasley, 71, entered heaven on Nov. 27, Thanksgiving morning, from his home on Bull Lake, Montana. 

A Libby native, he was born on March 3, 1954, at Libby’s St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. Kelly attended Libby schools and was a 1972 graduate of LHS. He married Dixie Eby in 1972 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his time in the Air Force he was stationed primarily at Fairchild Air Force Base, but also at Upper Hayford AFB, England, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

In 1973, son, Les Richard was born, and later, Tyler Francis in 1986, both at Fairchild AFB. He started his military career as a boom operator on the KC-135 fueling B-52 bombers and was assigned numerous duties which took him places all over the world with the 92nd Bombardment Wing. Later, he served as a boom operator instructor and evaluator for the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron. 

While in the military, Kelly earned his Bachelors of Science majoring in Business Administration from City University, and later a Master’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle which gave him the opportunity to attend Officers’ Training as a Master Sergeant. He later became an Aircraft Maintenance Flight Commander and retired as a Captain after 24 years of serving his country.

After retiring from the Air Force, Kelly joined BNSF railway as a conductor for 10 years, before moving back to Bull Lake to spend time with his father, George Beasley.

Throughout his entire life, Kelly enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodcutting and huckleberry picking with his family. He thoroughly enjoyed being in nature and the adventure of exploring new country. The Yaak and the Ross Creek Cedars were both favorite refuges. Kelly enjoyed socializing with friends, listening to music, and watching sports games. 

He was often generous when help was needed by those within the community. He loved having his grandchildren enjoy summer lakeside activities and spent countless hours watching them play. He inherited a natural story telling ability from his father, George. We shall greatly miss Kelly, his stories, jokes and knowledge of local history.

He is survived by his son, Tyler (Jessica) Beasley; grandchildren, Max and Penelope Beasley; sisters, Birdie (Paul) Williams, Maureen (Dan) Rovig; former wife, Dixie Beasley; niece, Janelle (Matt) Swenson; and numerous Beasley cousins and grand nieces and nephews.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Beasley and his son Les Richard.

A celebration of Kelly’s life will be held during the summer of 2026 (Kelly’s favorite time). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that Kelly strongly supported.