Clell Donald Beesley was born August 15, 1927 in Omaha, Arkansas to his father and mother Pleasant Beesley & Marie Collier and passed away May 26, 2021 in Orangevale, California.
"Don", as he was known, lived with his Grandparents since the 1st. grade. The Collier family moved in 1937 from Arkansas to Chico California, then to Sacramento, and Oakland. Grandpa Collier was a mentor to Don as a child. Very early in life two guidelines surfaced that guided his choices and decisions. The first, because of his fragmented childhood, Don decided to be a "Tea Totalier." He never drank an alcoholic beverage. He was very adamant against alcohol and its effects on life and the family. The second was his faith in God. At the age of 15, he made a profession of faith, trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Nazarene Church in North Sacramento. He was baptized by his uncle Clell Collier in the American river.
He was drafted into military service, and he chose to join the Marines. He earned a sharp shooter promotion and earned an additional $5.00 an month over his basic salary. The target was at 500 yards and with an M-1 rifle with iron sights. Don's skill with the smaller carbine earned him the "Expert Shooter" award. The U.S. at the close of WWII eliminated the Marine Aviation and gave Don the option to move into general duty or to release from the Marines. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines in 1946 from Treasure Island, San Francisco.
"Don", as he was known, lived with his Grandparents since the 1st. grade. The Collier family moved in 1937 from Arkansas to Chico California, then to Sacramento, and Oakland. Grandpa Collier was a mentor to Don as a child. Very early in life two guidelines surfaced that guided his choices and decisions. The first, because of his fragmented childhood, Don decided to be a "Tea Totalier." He never drank an alcoholic beverage. He was very adamant against alcohol and its effects on life and the family. The second was his faith in God. At the age of 15, he made a profession of faith, trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Nazarene Church in North Sacramento. He was baptized by his uncle Clell Collier in the American river.
He was drafted into military service, and he chose to join the Marines. He earned a sharp shooter promotion and earned an additional $5.00 an month over his basic salary. The target was at 500 yards and with an M-1 rifle with iron sights. Don's skill with the smaller carbine earned him the "Expert Shooter" award. The U.S. at the close of WWII eliminated the Marine Aviation and gave Don the option to move into general duty or to release from the Marines. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines in 1946 from Treasure Island, San Francisco.
Clell Donald Beesley was born August 15, 1927 in Omaha, Arkansas to his father and mother Pleasant Beesley & Marie Collier and passed away May 26, 2021 in Orangevale, California.
"Don", as he was known, lived with his Grandparents since the 1st. grade. The Collier family moved in 1937 from Arkansas to Chico California, then to Sacramento, and Oakland. Grandpa Collier was a mentor to Don as a child. Very early in life two guidelines surfaced that guided his choices and decisions. The first, because of his fragmented childhood, Don decided to be a "Tea Totalier." He never drank an alcoholic beverage. He was very adamant against alcohol and its effects on life and the family. The second was his faith in God. At the age of 15, he made a profession of faith, trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Nazarene Church in North Sacramento. He was baptized by his uncle Clell Collier in the American river.
He was drafted into military service, and he chose to join the Marines. He earned a sharp shooter promotion and earned an additional $5.00 an month over his basic salary. The target was at 500 yards and with an M-1 rifle with iron sights. Don's skill with the smaller carbine earned him the "Expert Shooter" award. The U.S. at the close of WWII eliminated the Marine Aviation and gave Don the option to move into general duty or to release from the Marines. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines in 1946 from Treasure Island, San Francisco.
"Don", as he was known, lived with his Grandparents since the 1st. grade. The Collier family moved in 1937 from Arkansas to Chico California, then to Sacramento, and Oakland. Grandpa Collier was a mentor to Don as a child. Very early in life two guidelines surfaced that guided his choices and decisions. The first, because of his fragmented childhood, Don decided to be a "Tea Totalier." He never drank an alcoholic beverage. He was very adamant against alcohol and its effects on life and the family. The second was his faith in God. At the age of 15, he made a profession of faith, trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior in a Nazarene Church in North Sacramento. He was baptized by his uncle Clell Collier in the American river.
He was drafted into military service, and he chose to join the Marines. He earned a sharp shooter promotion and earned an additional $5.00 an month over his basic salary. The target was at 500 yards and with an M-1 rifle with iron sights. Don's skill with the smaller carbine earned him the "Expert Shooter" award. The U.S. at the close of WWII eliminated the Marine Aviation and gave Don the option to move into general duty or to release from the Marines. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines in 1946 from Treasure Island, San Francisco.
Inscription
PROUD U.S. MARINE
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
