John Frederick Beeten, affectionately known as JB, was born at Devonia hospital in Demestre St, Yass on May 14, 1947. His parents were Fred and Mavis Beeten.
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The family home was in Plunkett St and JB’s childhood was filled with many boy adventures of fishing, rabbiting, riding push bikes and yabbying. His love for adventure, fun, laughter and larrikin personality were traits he carried throughout his life.
One of his early pranks was at his home when two local nuns came to visit his mother. JB found a dead snake nearby and decided to plant it on the back door so that when the nuns left the house they would get the fright of their lives. JB and his mates hid and waited for the commotion to unfold, which it did. However, the outcome for JB was far worse than the fright he gave the nuns once his mother had caught up with him.
His schooling took place at Mt Carmel and on leaving, JB started an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic with Matt Foley. After completing his mechanical apprenticeship, he taught himself to become an auto electrician. This was when he became JB's Auto Electrical & Mechanical and opened a workshop in Comur St at the bottom end of Ross' Relics.
During these years, he unknowingly became a local hero and idol for a young, local lad, Tony Southwell. Tony spent many afternoons hanging out with JB at his workshop where he had his Harley-Davidson dirt bike XC90.
JB's passions in life never changed, however, the birth of his son was one of his proudest achievements.
At this time, JB also saw the need for servicing people off-site and the birth of JB's Auto Mobile happened. JB loved nothing more than to be out and about and this new method of working saw him move around in his community, helping farmers with their broken tractors and other farming equipment and anyone else that needed his services. It didn't matter what time of day or night it was, JB was always available to help.
Sometime later, John purchased and operated out of the Foley building before purchasing and moving into the Yass Trade Centre, where his business is today.
In October 1968, John married Beverley Joy Lees and they were blessed with the birth of their only son Peter in 1969. JB's passions in life never changed, however, the birth of his son was one of his proudest achievements.
As well as being his trade, motor vehicles also quickly became JB’s interest and hobby. He loved riding motorbikes and made sure Peter became interested in racing them, while JB raced cars at Marchmont Circuit.
As soon as Peter was old enough, JB purchased him his first dirt bike and so began an amazing father-son adventure. Every weekend was filled with long car trips to places near and far for the next race meet. There was nowhere too far for JB to take Peter to compete.
He lived for his grandchildren and spoiled them rotten with love, affection, gifts, adventures and many afternoons of lollies right before dinner.
These adventures were the founding of not only an unbreakable father-son relationship, but a mate-ship often envied by many of their friends.
The strong bond that the two of them shared carried on for the rest of their time together. JB and Peter would work together on and off again over the years and most afternoons they could be found at their local watering hole, sharing a cold beer together. What a wonderful father he was to you, Peter!
John and Joy were so excited in January 2006 when their first grandchild Cooper was born and then along came Liam, three years later in 2009. With the birth of his grandsons, JB's nickname soon changed to ‘Pop’. He lived for his grandchildren and spoiled them rotten with love, affection, gifts, adventures and many afternoons of lollies right before dinner. There was nothing that he wouldn't do or get for them.
JB and his mates Tony Southwell and Tim Bush shared the adventures that came with being involved with NASCAR (car racing). Tony was a driver and JB and Tim were part of a pit crew for Whiteline Racing, which had top drivers such as Allan Grice, Denzel Mead, Andrew Miedecke, Bob Middleton and Barry Blake. Their adventures continued to take JB to race meetings all over the countryside. Racing by day and sharing a beer, meal and laughter of an evening saw many friendships made, which were never to be broken.
A very community-minded fellow, JB served as a director on the board of the Yass Soldiers Club. He raised money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, Care Flight, the Day of Difference Foundation and Beyond Blue by participating in many outback car rallies in the famous ‘Bat Mobile’ with his mates Ralph Jauncey and Tim Bush.
Elvis was his idol and on his 58th birthday, JB visited Graceland and Elvis' grave.
JB conducted meat raffles at the Australian Hotel every Friday night, with the raffle wheel he built himself. He donated the proceeds of these raffles to countless organisations and individuals of the Yass community over many years. Recently, this wheel has been updated, but will forever remain a part of his legacy and funds raised will still be distributed to local community organisations and individuals.
Loud music and travel were his other passions and in 2005, JB travelled with his son Peter, brother Geoff and Rod Jessup (Noddy) to America to complete part of Route 66. This three-week adventure was again filled with many memorable moments that they still talk and laugh about today.
Elvis was his idol and on his 58th birthday, JB visited Graceland and Elvis' grave. JB shed many a tear at the graveside of his idol, while his brother Peter and Noddy stirred him up about crying. This was a true testament to his soft side and character.
Once they arrived in Las Vegas, JB thought he was in heaven. Having a bet in Vegas was a dream come true for him. There were several sleepless nights as the three of them explored the city of lights together, visiting wedding chapels, concerts, casinos and all that Vegas had to offer.
In 2011, JB returned to America with Tony Southwell and Peter Ackland. They toured the east coast together for a few weeks and went to Charlotte; had breakfast with NASCAR legend Junior Johnson; to Bristol to a NASCAR race; and the Jack Daniel’s factory in Lynchburg, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach; Orange County Choppers; and New York. They drove everywhere and had the best trip three mates could have.
Yass has lost one of its most unique, giving and lovable larrikins.
In recent times, John found much love and happiness with Jeanine Wade. They shared common interests in travel, cooking, concerts and animals.
Their travel took them to weekends in Bowral, Moss Vale and Sydney. Many concerts, a motorhome trip to Uluru and a rock and roll themed cruise on the Royal Caribbean – 'Radiance of the Sea’. Jeanine was able to show him places he had never been to and things he had never seen before.
The last story written about JB in the Yass Tribune was in January 2017 and the title read ‘Yass Valley's Santa Claus'.
“It was the night before Christmas when Carolyn Blakeley went to put the charger on her husband’s mobility scooter only to find it was broken,” the article reads. “George, who has been struggling with Parkinson's disease for 17 years, is heavily reliant on the scooter… ‘There were no lights on the charger,’ Mrs Blakely said. ‘On Christmas Eve night (quite late) I posted on Yass and Surrounds Facebook page desperate for help … to my surprise, John Beeton (JB) replied.’ On Christmas day at 10.30am, JB made the trek to town to fix George's scooter.”
A couple of messages received by family and on social media that sum up JB include:
“Yass has lost one of its most unique, giving and lovable larrikins. Whether it was helping out a customer on the spot, sitting in a makeshift dunny outside a local pub for an entire weekend in the name of charity, shaving off his beard or supporting any other good cause, JB put himself towards any issue close to his heart.”
“Look up legend in the dictionary and there's a photo of Pop. I will miss you mate.”
“JB, thanks for showing me that old-fashioned men still exist. Our last conversation will hold a place in my heart. You have been the kindest man to me and I am truly saddened by your passing. I hold you in such high regard, your word was your word. The world has lost a great man."
“You were always smiling, having a laugh or joke. Cheers to you Pop."
JB, unfortunately, passed away on the cruise, far too early, leaving his family and all those who loved and knew him.
JB, you were a kind and loving man. You loved adventure with family and friends. You were always available for a chat or to help a mate or person in need. Your love of music, motorsport, animals, family and friends were some of your passions.
JB was a great man, father, Pop and mate, who will be missed by everyone.
