Byron Earl Beets

Born on March 16, 1939, Byron Earl Beets of Midlothian, Texas, passed away on July 29, 2024. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Carol Dee Beets; three daughters, Hollye Hess, Mindy Fisher and Abby Rich; three sons-in-law, Kevin, Gregg and Adam; his identical twin brother, Benny Beets; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews (and even more great nieces and nephews), all of whom he loved very much.

Proud son of sharecroppers Pete Roland and Amy Ruth Beets, Byron grew up chopping and picking cotton with his since-past brother Don Beets and sister Syble Beets Mills, and his twin, Benny. Some of his fondest childhood memories are of his sister, Syble, who taught him how to pray each night before bed; and playing Cowboys & Indians, hide-and-seek, and the occasional BB- gun fight with cousins.

As he would say, unashamed, he grew up poor. But he loved to learn and challenge his mind, which led him to graduate with the highest grades in his class. After high school, Byron received a scholarship to attend Baylor University. After three years, he joined the U.S. Air Force to become a pilot. He finished his degree with a double major in Physics and Mathematics at Colorado State University.

With too many achievements to mention, Byron's ability to set and accomplish high goals was one of his greatest strengths. His career in the Air Force eventually led his family to Washington D.C., where he worked at the Pentagon launching satellites and keeping them "afloat" by writing & solving complex math equations. After a tour in Vietnam and service in D.C. he moved his family back to his home state of Texas. He retired a Major in the Air Force and went on to have a long computer & technical career at AC Nielsen before retiring for good.

While in Arlington and up until his passing, Byron was a well-known high-school sports fanatic, and attended every game possible of his daughters' high school, Arlington Martin. He was such a dedicated fan that years after their graduation he threw out the honorary first baseball of the season. But if you asked Byron what he was most proud of in life he would tell you his family--and that he actually preferred watching his numerous grandkids' sports games most of all.