SSG (Ret) Johnson Bean, Jr.

Johnson Azor Bean, Jr., son of the late Azor Johnson Bean and Dora Elizabeth Jessie Bean Golnick, was born July 4, 1945 in Hopewell, Virginia where he grew up and attended school. John enlisted in the United States Army and after 20 years of faithful service he retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant. For his service, John was awarded several awards and commendations; some of which include: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (1), Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/palm, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars and the SPS Qualification Badge M16. On October 6, 1986, John was united in marriage to Kyong Hi Chi in Waynesville, Missouri. They shared over 22 years of marriage together and were blessed with two daughters: An Eva and Dorothy Jean. After retiring from the military, John was able to spend more time doing things he enjoyed, like coin collecting. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Most importantly, he cherished those times that he was able to spend with his family and friends, especially his granddaughter. John passed away Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Lake Regional Hospital of Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of 63 years, 10 months and 11 days. John leaves to cherish his memory his wife: Kyong; two daughters: An Eva Mayes and husband, Micah, Springfield, MO and Dorothy Jean Kenney, Parsippany, New Jersey; one granddaughter: Morgan Paige Mayes; one brother: David Bean; one nephew: David Bean, Jr.; an aunt: Linda Blankenship: Hopewell, Virginia; other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by one grandson, Sean Kenney Mayes. Funeral services were held at 6:00 P.M. Monday, May 18, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory with Pastor Young Dae Lee officiating. Burial with military honors were held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Springfield, Missouri with Chaplain (MAJ) Byung Min officiating. Serving as escorts were the United States Army. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John Bean to the Morgan Paige Mayes Scholarship Fund and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.