Clear, 59° F
James Floan “Beev” Bever was born on Jan. 2, 1940 to James P. and Mary E. Bever and raised in Powell, Wyoming. He was the only son among five siblings. He completed his schooling in Powell and went to Northwest College and the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1968. He also served four years in the United States Air Force from 1959-1963.
In June of 1968, he began his career as a nuclear engineer at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. He started out as a refueling engineer and in his 28 years there, worked his way up to the head of the Nuclear Refueling Division — one step below the shipyard commander.
In October of 1963, he met the love of his life, Carol Mathews, and they were married eight months later. They had three children together: Erika, Robert and Darrin.
Throughout his life, Jim quietly dedicated himself to helping others through numerous organizations and for his local church. He built homes for Habitat for Humanity locally and in five different countries, prepared and served thousands of meals to the homeless and served as treasurer of his local church for 25 years as well as for the Presbytery of San Francisco, the regional office of all Presbyterian Churches in the San Francisco Bay Area.
One of Jim’s other greatest loves was spending time at his family cabin in northern Wyoming. He himself spent a great deal of time there as child and every summer with his kids and later, grandkids, instilling a love of the outdoors and the joys of a simpler life. Jim also enjoyed playing golf and was an avid golfer. He golfed with the same group of friends for 25 years. He also loved building, reading and gardening.
He died May 19, 2023, after a brief visit to Powell.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and several nephews and a niece. He is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter Erika (Mike Glisson); sons Robert and Darrin and his three grandchildren: RJ, Alex and David. A Celebration of Life will be held at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church — his church of nearly 50 years, in Clayton, California, on July 8.
