Harry King Bean, 84, passed peacefully at home in his sleep on Sunday, March 18, 2007.  Services were held Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Sherman. Rev. Jim Pledger and Dr. Thomas Peel  officiated. Waldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Bean was born on July 25, 1922 in Sherman, Texas to Harry Umphress Bean and Virginia King Bean, at the Thompson House, his childhood home. He attended Sherman High School where he played quarterback for the Sherman Bearcats.
Mr. Bean began his college education at Austin College where he studied Economics and played on the football team.
After high school he served his country as a Naval Officer during WWII and remained active until July of 1955. While serving in the United States Navy, Mr. Bean attended the University of Miami at Ohio, and Harvard University Business School. In 1948, he returned to Sherman to complete his education at Austin College where he met his wife of 59 years, Dixie Ashburn.
Upon finishing his education at Austin College he was employed by Arthur Hopkins to work for Mrs. Tuckers, which was later known as Anderson Clayton. With Anderson Clayton he and his family moved to Garland, Texas. Later he was hired by Armour Foods in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after, he began working for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Minneapolis and was transferred to Decatur, Illinois where he became Corporate Vice President. Mr. Bean was instrumental in development of ADM, building it from a small soybean processing company to the largest agricultural processing company in the world.
Mr. Bean retired from ADM at age 55 and returned to Sherman to reestablish his home and be with his growing family. Due to his corporate expertise he was appointed and served as a volunteer for the International Executive Service Corp where he and Dixie served twice in El Salvador, Panama, and Malaysia. He represented the City of Sherman on the GTUA Board
of Directors and was appointed Chairman of the Water Resources Committee. Mr. Bean felt that one of his most rewarding positions of service was as a Trustee for the Children's Clinic of Sherman, increasing the funds from thousands to several million dollars that provide medical care for hundreds of children in the Texoma area. In addition, he served on the board
of Wilson and Jones Hospital and was appointed a Laureate of the Texoma Area Business Hall of Fame. He was a member of the First United Methodist of Sherman, Texas.
Mr. Bean is survived by his wife Dixie Ashburn Bean; his sons Harry Ashburn Bean and Paul Bean and wife Cindy of Sherman, Texas; daughter Barbara Bean McElroy and husband Patrick of Decatur, Illinois; grandchildren: Stephanie Carawan and husband Jaime of Lucas, Texas; Kimberly Bean of Sherman, Texas; Lindsey Bean of Sherman, Texas; Allison Bean of San Antonio, Texas; Harry Murphy Bean of Sherman, Texas; Paul Curtis Bean of Lubbock, Texas; and
Dixie Elizabeth McElroy of Decatur, Illinois. Great-grandchildren: Sydney and Abigail Carawan of Lucas, Texas; Landry Urquhart of Pottsboro, Texas and Lilyann Bean of Sherman, Texas. Uncle, Billy King and his wife Mary of Sherman, Texas. Mr. Bean's family extended out to neighbors, business associates, and family friends who grew up knowing his kindness, support, and generosity.
He has blessed the lives of many who have considered him a leader, mentor, father, grandfather, and friend. At Mr. Bean's last community speech where he was appointed a Laureate of the Texoma area Business Hall of Fame he left us with this life advice:
"Do not dwell on your mistakes. Your mistakes often provide you with opportunities to learn. Do not be afraid of risk. The road to success is many times paved with risk.
Never let greed over rule your Moral Integrity."
He was loved.
Pall Bearers are Paul Curtis Bean, Harry Murphey Bean, Jaime Carawn, John White, David Norman, Scott Avery, and Pat McElroy. Honorary Pall Bearers are Joe Price, Joe Fields, Lee Hudgins, Sam Graber, Harold Keesee, Tom Jarvis.
A visitation was held Monday, March 19, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Waldo Funeral Home.
Donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Sherman, and to Austin College Athletic Enhancement Program. - - - Waldo Funeral Home



The Herald Democrat
March 12, 2010

SHERMAN - Dixie Ashburn Bean, 84, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at First United Methodist Church in Sherman. Dr. Jim Pledger and Dr. Thomas Peel officiatee. Dixie was born on September 29, 1925 in Sherman at the Ashburn Farm. She graduated from Sherman High School in 1943 where she was a drum majorette, member of the pep squad, and was voted Most Beautiful Girl for two years running. In 1948 she met the love of her life, Harry King Bean, and they shared their life together for 60 years. Dixie left Sherman in 1955 to pursue Harry's successful career and returned in 1975 to be with her family and lifelong friends. While serving with her husband as a volunteer with the International Executive Service Corps, she traveled to El Salvador, Panama, and Malaysia.
Dixie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sherman. She was active in her local bridge club and enjoyed a lifetime of friends and fellowship with her Garland Sewing Club. Best known for her love of cooking and feeding her large circle of family and friends; she spread love with her warm hospitality and delicious Southern Cuisine.
Dixie is survived by Harry Ashburn Bean, Michael Paul Bean and his wife Cindy, and Barbara Bean McElroy and her husband Patrick of Decatur, Illinois. Grandchildren are Stephanie Carawan and husband Jamie of Lucas, Kimberly Brem and husband Shane of Denison, Lindsey Bean of Pottsboro, Allison Bean of Weatherford, Harry Murphy Bean of Sherman, Paul Curtis Bean of Sherman, and Dixie Elizabeth McElroy of Decatur, Illinois. Great-grandchildren are Sydney and Abigail Carawan of Lucas, Landry Urquhart and Lillyan Bean of Pottsboro, Sophia Joseline Bean of Howe, and William King Brem of Denison. She is also survived by her sister Marjorie Sidleski and husband Richard (Sid) of Vero Beach, Florida, cousin Lois Ashburn Pace of Sherman, special nieces Suzanne Lacke Terry and husband Ted of San Antonio, and Joan Locke Alpaugh Liston of Surprise, Arizona. Her life was also full of many adopted families including the Marie Avery and Sheryl Bradshaw families.
She was preceded in death by husband Harry King Bean, parents Thompson and Ruth Cook Ashburn, sisters Mary Frances Locke and Betty Ruth Jacobs, and brother John Thompson.
Pallbearers were Harry Murphy Bean, Paul Curtis Bean, Patrick McElroy, Jamie Carawan, Shane Brem, and John Keeton.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First United Church of Sherman, Samaritan Class, 401 N. Elm St., Sherman, TX 75090 and the Scholarship Fund of Austin College, 900 N. Grand Ave., Sherman, TX 75090.