George Albert Beeker Jr. of the U.S. Navy
February 2, 1939 - February 26, 1958

Seaman Apprentice George Albert Beeker Jr.,19, United States Navy, drowned while serving at sea. His death, less than a year after our 1957 graduation, was the first for our class. There is a memorial marker for George at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. 

Soon after graduation and without a hoped-for college scholarship in Florida, George enlisted in the Navy. Months later he was washed overboard from the fantail of his ship, the U.S.S. Murray.  His body was not recovered. 

At Broughton George was a member of the track team that won the 1957 state championship in mid-May. Besting Durham and Myers Park, these athletes brought home Raleigh's first state track title since 1945. Due to timing, this huge tournament win could not be featured in our senior Latipac. 

Jim Graham lived next door to George during our school years, and they both were on that championship track team. He still remembers the 1957 scholarship disappointment and George's decision to join the Navy. The more haunting memory is that George was offered the track scholarship -- after he had enlisted.  

The N&O's brief story about George's death did not mention a location. These many years later some people recall hearing it was near the Virginia or North Carolina coast; others recall Florida. It helps somehow to think that he was close to home.

Sources: Jim Graham, Bill Jones, Johanna McKevlin, Ferg Norton, News and Observer newspaper. 

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From The News and Observer, March 1, 1958: 

"Raleigh Boy Lost at Sea 

Word was received here last night of the death of George Albert Beeker, Jr.,19, of the United States Navy, who apparently fell overboard while serving at sea. 

In a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. George A. Beeker, 1429 Wake Forest Rd., Vice Admiral H. P. Smith, Chief of Naval Personnel, reported Seaman Apprentice Beeker "died Feb. 26, when it’s believed he fell overboard the U.S.S. Murray."

Admiral Smith informed Mrs. Beeker that a search for the body proved fruitless. He said a letter with further details would follow the telegram. 

Beeker was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School in 1957. He entered the Navy shortly after graduation. Survivors include his father, now in Greenland, and his mother [Lyda Beck Beeker]; two sisters, Mrs. Janet Beeker Cotten of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Lyda Sylvia Beeker of the home; two brothers, Cecil Beck Beeker and Lloyd Anthony Beeker, both of the home."