Daniel Beam

May 29, 1964 - July 25, 2020

Allison Daniel (Al, Dan, Danny, Dan the Man!) Beam, age 56 of Dayton, passed away early Saturday morning, July 25, 2020 at Rhea Medical Center.  Dan was born in Clarksville, Tennessee on May 29th, 1964. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and attended Christ the King Lutheran School and Church. He moved to Dayton, Tennessee in 1977 and graduated from Rhea County High School in 1983. While in high school, he was a fierce and formidable foe on the wrestling team’s mat and earned great respect there for his never-give up spirit. He went on to get his Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, where he had hoped to follow his dream of becoming a Marine Biologist. After college, Dan worked at the Tennessee Aquarium, Sears, Home Depot and at Walmart-all in customer service,before he became a full-time care giver. Danny had an unwavering faith in the Grace of God. He belonged to faith of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod(LCMS), he loved following Dr. Joyce Meyers on TV, and was a consistent and loyal financial supporter of his brother's church's youth group. He had a deep love of music and enjoyed many happy trips to the ‘Jammin’ at Hippie Jacks’music festival. Dan loved animals, his precious niece and nephews, camping and shooting the breeze by warm campfires on cool evenings with a cold drink and cigar in hand. He loved the water and spending time in nature with family and friends. Dan was always the one to remember his family's birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. He was sure to mail funny or positive, thoughtful cards of celebratory congratulations. Dan always brought smiles, laughter and great conversation to all the situations he encountered. He loved talking about current events points and lit-up as serious debater of the hot political topics of the day with anyone who would engage. He loved his country. Dan believed that life is a journey, not a destination. As such, he journeyed to the water as often as he was able. In the water, Danny found his common ground with the world; a no-judgment zone. Because of this, he learned to scuba dive, and took many diving trips - even swimming with the manatees! It was in the water where Danny truly felt free. Dan was an avid exercise and workout enthusiast.Everyone in his neighborhood of the Edgewater community knew him from his daily walks accompanied by his cane. He had a friendly smile and wave for them.Although he was born with cerebral palsy, he never considered it a disability.Many people never knew this burden. In spite of the circumstances, Dan lived everyday to its fullest. Daniel Beam was a shining light to the world. He considered others valuable; the kind of person that always puts their shopping cart back in the parking lot’s rack. He was kind, gentle, accepting, a big-hearted spirit, loyal and loving to any and all who loved him. Today, he walks in Heaven cane-less—in perfect balance: free. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles M. (Charlie) Beam. He leaves behind his mother, Nancy L Beam of Dayton;his brothers, Henry David Beam II of Dayton, Charles Daryle (Amber E.) Beam of Signal Mountain, and James Christopher (Jennifer Blevins) Beam of Dayton; and nephews, Sam and Ben and niece Scout. Funeral Services for Dan will be held Tuesday evening, July 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Chris Sheets officiating. Please share your memories of Dan on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com. The family is being cared for by the Vanderwall Funeral Home where they will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The family requests that In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Danny’s name to the PULSE youth group of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Avenue, East Ridge, Tennessee 37412, COARM, Jammin at Hippie Jack’s Outreach Appalachia Music & Arts Festival (all proceeds of which go to the outreach) and his current campaign to improve the lives of the under-served or the charity of your choice.