Ellis Harley Beymer

Ellis Harley Beymer, age 93, a resident of Corrales for the past three years, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015. He is survived by his children, Debi Reynolds (Steve), Dave Beymer (Maura Raffensperger), Charlie Beymer (Kathy), and Matthew Beymer (Mary Roseberry); 5 grandchildren, Jessica Beymer (Carlos Rodriguez), Conrad Beymer, Clare Beymer, Michelle Marcum (Adam) and James Reynolds; lifelong friend, Gail Stalker; and WW II Vet, Les Reekers. Ellis was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Janet; son, James Beymer; granddaughter, Lucia Rose Beymer; sister, Eloise Holzgrafe; and the nine other members of his bomber crew of which he formed long-term relationships. He was born in 1921 in Orange, CA and graduated from Orange Union High School. He married Janet Ruth Peniwell in 1942. Ellis proudly served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a lead navigator for the 490th Bomb Group based in Eye, England. One of their first missions was over the Normandy Beaches on D-Day in 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Clusters. Ellis graduated from Cal Tech with his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Raytheon until his retirement in 1990. In the late 50's Ellis managed the Raytheon Hawk Missile Test Program at White Sands Missile Range. While employed with Raytheon, he served with NATO in Paris, France. Ellis and Janet returned to CA where he managed the Raytheon Missile Systems Division facility in Oxnard, CA until his retirement. He lovingly took care of his wife, Janet for the last 7 years of her life. In his retirement, Ellis was an avid private pilot and enjoyed attending 490th Bomb Group reunions. Ellis moved to Corrales to be with his daughter and her family. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in CA. His family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of the Beehive Enchanted Hills, Gentiva Hospice, and his caregiver, Peter Rivera. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ellis' name to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation ( www.pdf.org ), or the Wounded Warrior Project ( www.woundedwarriorproject.org ).