Thomas Cary Beane, a US Army National Guard Veteran (retired Lieutenant Colonel), passed away June 13, 2026, at the age of 88. Born to former Verona mayor William Frank Beane and Mary Elizabeth Stanfield on December 2, 1937. He attended Baylor Military Preparatory School; graduated from Tupelo HS Class of 1955, followed by Mississippi State University and Ole Miss.

He graduated from Mississippi State with a Batchelor of Science degree in both Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. He initiated into the Sigma Chi Fraternity and proudly wore their letters until his death. He also walked on to the State Track and Cross Country Team, eventually earning a scholarship and lettering; he was a proud member of Mississippi State’s The M-Club, for athletes that lettered in any sport. He then attended Ole Miss Law School, graduating in 1964.

His professional life took him to Gadsden, Alabama working for Republic Steel Corporation, followed by Youngstown/Boardman, Ohio where he worked for Youngstown Sheet and Tube Corporation. While in Youngstown, he was unsuccessful in getting season tickets for the Cleveland Browns. However, his work often took him to Pittsburgh where he was able to get Steeler Season tickets which he held until 2023. He moved to Lansing, Michigan when he changed jobs and began working for Gulf and Western and instead of getting transferred to Hartford, Connecticut, he ended up leaving Gulf and Western and moved to Germantown, TN in 1985/1986 working for Thomas and Betts Corporation followed by Right Management Group. He finished his working career riding shotgun in his son’s Kona Ice Truck serving as a personal greeter for every customer.

Cary was extremely proud of his Family name and would make a point to tell anybody and everybody. His most favorite thing to share was about Elvis. In case you didn’t know, Elvis was born on Bean property (Great Uncle Orville Bean). However, he was just as proud of being a member of Grace Evangelical Church in Germantown, being a judge for several years at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest and being a member of the Secret Order of Boll Weevils that is closely tied to Carnival Memphis.

Cary is survived by his son, Thomas Cary Beane Jr and his wife, Karin Bartolett Beane; Four Grandchildren: Megan Beane Slack, Mara Beane Fleming, Noah Thomas Beane and Amanda Leigh Beane; and two Great Grandchildren; Rory Thomas Slack and Finn Joseph Slack.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Lee Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

In remembrance, donations can be made to his memory at the Boll Weevil Foundation page: www.bollweevilcharityfoundation.org