Gary Beu

Gary Marshall Beu passed away, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Bowling Green, Kentucky; he was born in Longview, Texas March 22, 1947.  Fifty of those eventful seventy-three years, he lived in Alaska.

Gary’s first ten years were spent in Texas learning to love plants and people at Sapp Nursery, his grandparents’ plant nursery and landscaping business in Longview. In 1957 his dad transplanted the family to Anchorage, Alaska. Gary loved riding his bike through empty, early morning streets and spending hours exploring Chester Creek alone or with friends. As a teenager in the 1960’s he became active in the local music scene as the lead singer in a succession of bands. Gary eventually went solo with his guitar playing mostly folk and country for his own enjoyment and when someone handed him a guitar wherever he was.

Gary’s inquiring mind would get focused on a subject until he became satisfied with his knowledge &/or competence until something new grasped his attention. This trend was evident in his working life. He transitioned through loan officer, credit union manager, construction, aviation, farming, and cheese making. After becoming disenfranchised with the banking world, he taught himself carpentry through “Carpentry Made Easy” eventually owning Sourdough Constructors which built many log and conventionally framed homes. He became a skilled airplane and helicopter pilot which led into owning and operating Aviation North on the Birchwood Airport.  While flying he had chickens and rabbits in a hutch he built onto the side of the building.  He eventually built Windsong Farm in Palmer and became locally known as ‘The Cheese Guy.’

After moving to Kentucky, Gary semi-retired and restored to working order a tractor and an MGB. Not being inherently mechanical, he was very proud of those accomplishments. ‘The Cheese Guy’ role was eventually reprised when Gary accepted the task of getting Western Kentucky University’s cheese making facility operational. Hilltopper Creamery has been producing ‘Student Made Cheeses’ for the past four years.

Gary loved and was loved by many. He is survived by his wife Carla (Larson) Beu, his brother Edwin (Ed) Beu, along with many nieces and nephews. He is Preceded in death by his parents Edwin Beu & Marsha (Sapp) Beu and his sister Barbi (Beu) Sammartano.

Cremation was chosen and a Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM CST at the L.D. Brown Agriculture Exposition Center in Bowling Green, KY. The service will be open for in person or via Zoom Link. This will be a time of sharing wonderful memories of Gary.

For those attending the celebration in person, we ask everyone to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Expressions of sympathy are suggested to the Agriculture Scholarship Fund in Gary’s memory. These can be made:

1. Via Mail. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Agriculture Scholarship Fund, c/o College Heights Foundation, 1906 College Heights Blvd. 41016, Bowling Green, KY  42101.  Checks should be made payable to the College Heights Foundation and please note in memory of Gary in the memo line.

2. Via Phone. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Agriculture Scholarship Fund, c/o College Heights Foundation, by calling 270-745-4597 and providing a credit card number.  Please indicate over the phone that the gift is in memory of Gary.

3. In Person. Expression can be made in person at the celebration of life.  Envelopes will be made available for checks. Checks should be made payable to the College Heights Foundation and please note in memory of Gary in the memo line.

To access the live streaming of the Celebration of Life service, use the Zoom Link and password listed below.

Zoom Link: https://wku.zoom.us/j/91778536641?pwd=eTlFNHJWUTVGVUtKV2lIUTZSejBxZz09

Zoom Password: Gary