There was a "celebration of the life of John Beaver" on May 6 at his home on Lupo Lane in Fish Springs. Beaver died on April 28 at the too-young age of 68. He and Ginger, his wife of 46 years, moved here from Downey, Calif. in 1992.
A parade of colorful hot rods cruised through Fish Springs to Lupo Lane last Saturday where the drivers and passengers gathered together to celebrate the exciting life that John had. Everyone dressed in "car show" attire. Two large oil pans were covered with pictures of John enjoying his life. Pastor Pete Nelson officiated in a beautiful and personal service and the American Legion High Desert Post No. 56 honored John with a 21-gun salute and taps. The American flag was presented to Ginger.
Beaver had a lot of adventures during his life and his name will forever be remembered as it's inside the flag pole that astronaut Neil Armstrong left on the moon in 1969. He was granted that honor by NASA because, as an arc and tig welder, he welded the fuel lines and air ducts for the Apollo 11, 12 and 13. NASA invited him to attend the Apollo 11 take-off in Florida with all expenses paid.
He loved drag racing, go-kart racing, sprints, dirt bike Enduros - and he even designed custom skate boards and motocross bicycles. He owned Beaver's Bicycle shop in Tarzana, Calif., where he made a prototype bicycle that looked like a motorcycle. It had anodized bicycle rims with foot pegs on the back of the bikes like motorcycles. "Boys toys" - he did it all.
When he and Ginger moved to Fish Springs, he joined the Valley Cruisers car club and restored hot rods. His very favorite car was his flashy 1941 Willys coupe. It took him three years building it the way he wanted it, and all his hard work paid off. He and his Willys won many national awards. Beaver was also an original member of the Rod Fathers car club and a member of the Obsolete Iron car club in Reno. You need a 1948 and older car to be in that club.
Ginger and the family want to thank everyone for being a part of John's life and for attending John's last bash. The next time you look up at the moon, remember the Beaver.
n Linda Monohan can be reached at 782-5802.
