Lonnie "Jim" Ray Beam

Lonnie “Jim” Ray Beam was born December 16, 1943, in Shafter, California to Mr. Lonzo Jack Beam and Mrs. Francis Rhoberta (Howell) Beam. Lonnie was born in California while his father Lonzo served honorably in WWII. After the war the family moved back to Lindsay, Oklahoma where he grew up. Lonnie was a member of Banner Baptist Church where he was saved and baptized.

Lonnie graduated from Lindsay High School with the class of 1962. After graduating he went on to further his education at East Central University in Ada eventually graduating with a teaching degree. Lonnie taught for two years before he decided that teaching wasn’t for him. After leaving teaching Lonnie settled in Chickasha, Oklahoma and lived the remainder of his life there.

Lonnie was a people person and enjoyed making connections with people in the community. He worked for Safeway before putting his love of old cars and car parts to use in a many year career with Napa Auto Parts. He retired from Napa at the age of eighty.

Lonnie loved old cars and had quite a collection. He also collected walking sticks, pocket knives and loved whittling.

He is survived by his companion of thirty-four years Nancy Henry of Chickasha, his sister Panatha Sue Shea and husband Rick of Lexington, his brother Gail Beam and wife Vicky of Lindsay, his brother Terry Beam of Noble, his brother Wayne Beam and wife Shelia of Yukon, and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends that will miss him.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's foundation.

Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Green Hill Cemetery in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Burial is under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home in Maysville, Oklahoma.  Words of comfort may be sent to the family on this website.