Cloudy, 37° F
(Sept. 9, 2003)
A memorial service was held Saturday at the fairgrounds in Powell for Brad Allen Beavers, 36, of Gillette, who died Tuesday morning, Sept. 9 in an accident at the RAG Belle Ayre coal mine near Gillette.
Brad was the first born son of Barb and Jim Beavers of Powell. He was born Aug. 22, 1967, and grew up in Powell while attending elementary and middle schools. He graduated from Powell High School in 1987.
Following his graduation, he learned and fine-tuned various traits and skills at different jobs with an assortment of companies, including, but not limited to Crown Hill Cemetery, Sunlight Ranch, Jim's Exxon, Borders Exxon, Bill's Welding, Preator Construction, S&S Building and, finally, RAG Belle Ayre Mine.
He enjoyed the people he worked with and was a hard-working young man. People close to him knew he always had a smile and was forever scheming for the next prank on, or with, anyone fortunate enough to share workspace with him.
In June of 1994, he married Khristina Gwatney at his parents' cabin in the Beartooth Mountains. Brad and Khris lived in Powell until early 1999 when he took a job with S&S Builders and moved his family to Gillette. Later that same year, Brad accepted a position driving haul truck for RAG Belle Ayre Mine.
Together, Brad and Khris have two cherished children: Bret Nicole, 8, and Steven Jeffry, 2. Brad especially adored his children and viewed them as his pride and joy. During a conversation, he was once asked what he thought to be his greatest accomplishment. Brad replied, "My kids, they are the most important and incomparable accomplishment of my life."
Brad savored spending time with his family any time he could, but especially at the cabin in the Beartooth Mountains where he enthusiastically shared his love and knowledge of the outdoors with Bret and Steven. He enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, horseback riding and packing, fly fishing and tying, float tubing, boating and just being in the outdoors.
Family and friends will remember that Brad was a truly generous, loving man with a heart of gold. He honestly did not know the meaning of selfish. As a father and husband, he was simply outstanding. He always looked for and often found the best way to lovingly keep his family happy, safe and together. As a friend, he was exceptional. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, look out for the next guy, wanted everyone to be safe, gave anyone the benefit of the doubt and was, above all, honest. In a short time, he touched so many lives in such a truly unforgettable way. He is loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Bret; Granddad and Grandma Buck; and Grandad Bever.
Survivors include his wife, Khris Beavers and two children, Bret and Steven Beavers of Gillette; Grandma Mary Liz Bever, parents Barb and Jim Beavers, brother Brian Beavers, sister-in-law Erin Beavers, and nephew Andrew Beavers, all of Powell; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the college fund for his two children at First Interstate Bank in Gillette or Big Horn Federal in Powell.
A second memorial service in Gillette is pending. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
