James Mitchell Beamer

James Mitchell Beamer, 80, of Salem, died on Friday, April 8, 2016. Born in Elizabeth, NJ in 1935, he graduated with distinction from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA, with a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. Jim was 1st in his graduating class. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a First Lieutenant based in Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA. He had a successful career with Bethlehem Steel Corporation lasting more than 30 years. In Salem, Jim was a member of Green Memorial Methodist Church. He enjoyed being an arborist, loved Virginia Tech football and all things related to the stock market.Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ruth Ray Beamer; his daughter, Cynthia Duvall and her husband, Stephen Duvall ,and grandson Ryan Henderson of Hilton Head Island, SC;his son, Steven Beamer and his wife, Natalia Beamer of Davidson, NC; and his three sisters, Virginia Weinhold, Barbara Sparks, and Kathryn Beamer. Jim was predeceased by his brother, John Beamer. A private ceremony will be held on Beamers Knob in Hillsville, VA. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of choice in Jims name.