- Date Of Birth: July 20, 1956
- Date Of Death: December 2, 2022
- State: Mississippi
Herman Kendrith Beebe Jr. was born to Herman Kendrith Beebe Sr. and Mary Womack Beebe on July 20, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ken and his sisters, Pam, Bunny and Ann were raised in a house of discipline led by their father but also learned to be generous while their mother led in family and faith. Through his youth, Ken followed his father’s lead, learning to hunt, fish, golf and play tennis in which he was ranked in the state.
After high school, Ken attended Louisiana State University, where he studied Business Administration while also being a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He attained a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration before enrolling at Southern Methodist University in Dallas to obtain his Master’s in the same field. It was while living in Dallas that he met the love of his life, Tracy Lindquist. The two serendipitously met while standing in line with friends awaiting a table at busy restaurant in Dallas. When a table for four opened up, an opportunistic Ken suggested that if Tracy and her friend joined him and his friend, he’d buy their meal. After an early courtship, Ken and Tracy spent the next three years of their relationship with Tracy in Dallas working at Texas Instruments and Ken in Shreveport working for his father. But the two were meant to be and, with his mother’s approval, Ken proposed to and married Tracy in 1983. It was in Shreveport that the couple started their family with the birth of their first child, Herman Kendrith Beebe III, in 1985.
After moving to Dallas for short stint and having their second child, Hunter Keith Beebe in 1988, Ken’s father’s business fell on hard times and the young couple decided to relocate to Madison, Mississippi to start anew. Ken found a position at his uncle Elton’s company, Magnolia Management, and rebuilt his career. He worked tirelessly in those early years, often traversing the state on business to support his family. However, his values as a father and husband always brought him home to watch his children play sports and take them golfing. Eventually, Ken founded Legacy Care Management to serve the nursing homes Mississippi. Ken was also instrumental in healthcare legislation in Mississippi in his professional career, serving as President of the Mississippi Healthcare Association, on numerous boards and committees and playing a pivotal role in tort reform for the state. But he was also a dedicated advocate and supporter for the residents of his homes; at one point, driving a tank of gasoline around the state so that the homes would have power during Hurricane Katrina. Whatever people needed; Ken would selflessly provide.
Ken will be remembered for his jovial personality and outgoing nature. He rarely ever met a stranger and, if he did, they weren’t a stranger for long. From the administrators of his nursing homes to the daily staff to the residents, themselves, everyone knew and loved “Mr. Beebe.” He was the patriarch for his family and personally saw to their success and happiness. He prided himself on the well-being of those around him as well as being a world class barbecue judge! His generosity and care for others was a testament to the love that he was raised with and was reflected in the love for his family.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Tracy, his eldest son, Dr. Herman Kendrith Beebe III, his wife Sara, their children William Beckett Beebe and Aidan Rey Beebe as well as his youngest son Hunter Keith Beebe, his wife Laura and their son Hunter Keith Beebe Jr. He will also be sorely missed by his adoring sisters Pam, Bunny and Ann, their families, the children of his stepdad Ruben, Sara, Gordon, Vernon and Frank, his stepmother Shirley and an immeasurable number of friends and loved ones that he’s known in his time.
