Thomas J Beatty

Tom Beatty passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on March 25, 2026 after a fall and hospital stay. He was 89 years old. Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cathie Beatty, his daughter, Kate Borizov, his son in law, Boris Borizov, and his granddaughters, Savannah and Lilah Borizov. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

His Story
He was born on February 22, 1937, a bright eyed, sweet natured, baby boy to parents who would raise 8 other children in the first housing project built in Atlanta. Despite the adversity of growing up a poor city boy, Tom would follow his brothers into the news industry, working first as a copy boy and later a photographer for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. All of the Beatty boys served in the Navy and Tom followed in that tradition. The Navy gave him the structure and discipline he had been lacking. He went on to complete a GED, a college degree, and a law degree. After completing his education he worked at United Press International where he negotiated contracts with his whit, charm, and an healthy dose of intelligence. Next he worked for the Orlando Sentinel and finally, finished his long career as Vice President of Marketing at the Chicago Tribune. Tom's career in the news industry afforded him the opportunity to meet fascinating characters like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr, President Ronald Reagan, author Harper Lee, Eleanor Roosevelt, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and other heads of state. But, this wasn't the most important thing about him by a long shot. To know Tom was to love him. He was the very best of us.
He loved first and foremost, the Lord, and taught Sunday school to little ones for many years. Tom loved the same woman with his whole heart for over 50 years. He raised two children who never doubted for a single day how cherished they were. He loved all kinds of music, books, and films, passing that love onto his children.
Tom believed wholeheartedly that the world is a beautiful place. But it is a little less bright without him in it. Tom Beatty, we will miss you every day until we meet again.