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Clarence B. Beaver Salisbury, NC QCWA # 29224 Chapter 126 |
Clarence B. Beaver Jr., 85, of Salisbury, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, in Denver, Colo., while he and his family were attending the graduation of a grandson. Born Dec. 1, 1929, in Salisbury, Clarence was the son of the late Cecelia Bradley Beaver and Clarence B. Beaver Sr.
Mr. Beaver was a graduate of Boyden High School, Class of 1948. He attended North Carolina State College. Mr. Beaver served as long time president of Beaver Brothers Inc., an old Salisbury business founded in 1919 by his father and uncle. Beaver Brothers was started as a plumbing and heating firm. Clarence led the way to change the firm to a heating, air conditioning and solar thermal systems company that specializes in energy efficient environmental systems.
During his career he was one of the four founders of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy association where he served as chairman in the early years of the organization. He received a Legacy Award as a founding member and Visionary Leader for Sustainable Energy in North Carolina at the organization's 30th anniversary celebration.
Clarence constructed his first solar thermal collector in the late 1950s and had one of the first working solar domestic hot water systems in North Carolina on his home. He was an active member of the North Carolina Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors association.
He was a member of the Radiant Panel Association and was a local leader of radiant and in-floor heating systems since the company's first installations in the late 1940s. Clarence was nominated as a Radiant All Star by the Radiant Panel Association. His home and office building both reflect his passion for sustainable energy. Clarence was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he was an usher for many years. He was a long time member of the Kiwanis Club for over 35 years. He was a long time Amateur Radio Operator (Ham radio operator) an d a member of the local Amateur Radio Operator Club. He was a long time radio co ntrolled airplane enthusiast and a member of the local RCNC club and traveled with his family to many regional meets.
Clarence was a member of the Harold B Jarrett American Legion Post 342 and regularly attended its meetings. Clarence served on the board of directors of the Rufty Holmes Senior Center and participated in many of its activities. He was a Boy Scout Assistant Scout Master for Sacred Heart Church Local Troop 401 where he helped both of his sons achieve scouting's highest award of Eagle Scout. While a student at NC State College he developed a love of Wolf Pack Football and Basketball where he had season football tickets for over 26 years. He and his wife Barbara were avid world travelers where they visited every continent except for Antarctica. Clarence served his country in the Korean War conflict. After he entered the Army in 1951, he was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers where he worked as a draftsman in a company that built and maintained roads and bridges. He has also authored a book about his experiences while serving in the Corp. He was honorably discharged in 1953. In 2013, he received a medal and certificate of appreciation for serving in the Korean War at a 60th Anniversary celebration. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Barbara Mills Beaver; sister Genevra Kelly of Rockingham; son, Mike Beaver and wife Sherri of Charlotte, and their children, Adam Beaver of Charleston, S.C., John Beaver student of Appalachian State University; son Trip Beaver and wife Carol of Salisbury, and their children, Sara Legler and husband Ben of Seattle, Wash., Tom Beaver of Salisbury and Robert Beaver of Raleigh. Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at Summersett Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A private burial will be held at a later date. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rowan Helping Ministries, 226 N. Long St., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Beaver family.