Donald William Beene

Donald William Beene was born in Bellflower, CA and grew up in Huntington Beach, CA. He spent lots of time at the beach diving off the HB pier and swimming in the ocean. He ran track and cross country in high school and college, recording his personal best time of a 5 minute mile. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves at age 17, reached the rank of Lance Corporal, and remained a Marine the rest of his life. He was very athletic and wrestled in college and worked as a lifeguard at the local pool. He loved the outdoors and spent much of his twenties and thirties prospecting, hunting, and fishing with his aunt and uncle who lived in Ridgecrest. When he got married he brought his wife and two kids back to the desert where his third child was born. He worked as an auto mechanic for over 40 years, including the Toyota Dealership, Hildreth Motors, Anderson's Automotive, Desert Diesel, eventually opening his own garage, Beene's Automotive. His mechanical abilities were well known, where he built up a following of devoted customers over the years. During these years he continued his love of the outdoors and went stream fishing or bird hunting every chance he could get. He would often take his JEEP 4 wheeling with the AV 4 Wheelers or just go on solo rides around the desert and mountains. He also had a lifelong love of riding his 1937 Harley Davidson, until he had an accident that nearly took his life. After nearly 3 months in the hospital, he made a miraculous recovery and lived another 24 years. During these 24 years he grew closer to his family and friends, and came to know God. He started attending several churches in town when a neighbor invited him to attend the Church of the Nazarene where he found a deep connection of fellowship and Bible study. He had quality time with his three children and 8 grandchildren, both in person and over Zoom. In the latter 5 years of his life, he was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease, to which he finally succumbed on August 23, 2024. He was just weeks short of his 86th birthday. He is preceded in death by his father Walter Beene and mother Lura Stuart. His is survived by his three children Don, Donna & Mike; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

His memorial services will be at Holland & Lyons Mortuary at 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest on September 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Ridgecrest Church of the Nazarene at 571 N. Norma St., Ridgecrest from 1p.m. until 4 p.m. Lunch and drinks will be provided.