Obituary

Reverend David O. Beadles

David was born on August 1, 1930 in Tacoma, WA—but wait, there was a surprise—there were twins!  David liked to say “he kicked his sister out of the womb”.  Dolores was born first and then David. His father was a Methodist minister and the family moved around the Pacific Northwest during his childhood. He considered Moscow, ID his home; he attended the University of Idaho, graduating with a B.A. in 1952.  He attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley and received Deacon’s orders in 1953. David Beadles and Lois Raver married in June 1953. He graduated with a M.Th. in 1955 and received Elder’s Orders in the Pacific Northwest Conference.

David was appointed to Finley, West Kennewick, WA and served his first church from 1955-57.  He then decided to leave the Northwest and move to Southern CA.

David participated in an Exchange preaching program to South Korea in 1966.  He visited churches in Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Ministerial Appointments:

  1957-59     Associate: First Methodist Church, Orange, CA

  1959-64     Walteria Methodist Church, Torrance, CA

  1964-70     First Methodist Church, Monterey Park, CA

  1970-76     First United Methodist Church, Redlands, CA

  1976-85     Anaheim United Methodist Church, Anaheim, CA

  1985-89     United Methodist Church, Laguna Hills, CA

  1989-97     Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, Laguna Beach, CA

  1997          Retired (44 years in the active ministry)

David had responsibilities in the California-Pacific Conference, serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry from 1983-1992 and the Board of Diaconal Ministry beginning 1993.

David has four children:  Diana Smith (Larry), Janice Anderson (Wayne), Phyllis Lansley (Rob) and Bruce Beadles (Brenda).

David Owen Beadles and Judith Anne Sturdivan were married at Anaheim UMC in October 1981.  Her 2 children were added to the clan: Jennifer McCloskey (Mike) and Jeffrey Sturdivan (Angela).  David and Judy were married for 42 years.

David is survived by 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Judy likes to say David “flunked” retirement as he went on to serve 8 more interim positions in local United Methodist Churches.  He continued to preach occasionally and loved the creative aspect of that process.

David had a long history of community service and volunteerism. He served as Chaplain, South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, 1989-97, and in his “first year of retirement” served as Chaplain of the Hospice of Saddleback Valley. He served as Chair of Elder-Pastors (a mentoring outreach to the next generation of ministers) from 2003-10.

Serving on the Orange County Salvation Army Advisory Board, from 1998-2012, was a source of pride for David.  As an Advisory Board member, David was the chairman of the Youth and Social Services committee for 5 years. In May 2010 he received the “Volunteer of the Year Award”.

In 2009, David was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus at the Anaheim United Methodist Church.  He liked to say this honor had suddenly given him the reputation of an wise old “sage”.

David was honored with the “Bishop’s Award” in June 2021.  Phyllis, Jennifer and Judy were with David in Pasadena as Bishop Hagiya bestowed this honor.

In retirement, David was a voracious reader of mystery novels. He loved word play, puns, Sudoku, Angels baseball and entertained us with his sense of humor.

Our family gratefully thanks the caregivers who helped with David’s care the past 6 years: Alfredo, Brenda, Jessica and last, but not least, dear Valerie.

At the age of 88 years, David wrote “I have been a Methodist all my life.  In the years I have left, I will still be a Methodist at heart, a Wesleyan in theology (by the grace of God who accepts everyone), and I will follow the example of Jesus Christ who never mentioned second class people.  No bigotry shall keep me from this witness.  Yes, I will die a Methodist”..….and he did on December 21, 2023.

Memorials in David’s name may be given to:

  Orange County Salvation Army – orangecounty.salvationarmy.org

  UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) www.umcmission.org