A memorial service for Vernon Lee Beebe, 80, will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Susan Southall officiating.  Cremation arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.

            He was born to Godfrey Hiram and Erma Lee (Hogszette) Beebe on Nov. 18, 1927, in Kingfisher, and died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007 at his home in Enid.

            Vernon attended Kingfisher schools, graduating in 1946.  He worked at the Kingfisher Times and Free Press until joining the US Air Force.  He was stationed on Yokota AFB, Japan, during the Korean War.  Vernon married Nelda Jo Cunningham on Sept. 16, 1951 in the Kingfisher Methodist Church.  After returning from Japan, the couple moved to Enid, where he went to work in the composing room at Enid Morning News and Eagle.  In 1970 he joined the staff at O.T. Autry Vocational and Technology School as the printing instructor.  This involved obtaining teaching credentials, which he earned at Oklahoma State University, completing both bachelors and masters degrees.  He retired in 1990.

            Beebe became a member of Enid Briggs Evening Lions Club in 1962.  After serving in  various club offices, in 1972 he was elected District Governor of Oklahoma District 3A, which included Northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle.  He was instrumental in organizing six new Lions Clubs in his district that year.  The following year he was elected to serve as State Council Chairman for the six Oklahoma districts.  He was responsible for organizing six more clubs.  He has been honored as a Life Member after more than forty years of membership and service by International Association Lions Clubs.

            After retiring, Beebe took over the senior travel program for the Keenagers of First United Methodist Church.  Working with a revolving roster of over two hundred members, he arranged and hosted trips from as close as Kingfisher to see Christmas lights and Okarche for chicken to as far as cruises to the Greek Islands and around the New Zealand Islands.

            He is survived by his wife Nelda Jo, of the home; daughter LeNelle Backus and husband Lee of Enid; son Brent Beebe and wife Linda of Edmond; grandchildren, KayLynn, Karrie, Sarah and Michelle Backus, Matt and Stacey Beebe, and Lindsay and Kyle Green;  and great granddaughter Emma Beebe.

            Vernon was preceded in death by his oldest son Bryan, two brothers Ralph and Glenn Beebe, and sister Lucille Wann.