Earl Beaty

1930 - 2018

Earl Beaty Nov. 6, 1930 - Nov. 3, 2018 Earl Claude Beaty died Saturday, Nov. 3 at Longmont United Hospital. He was 87. Earl was born to James Ollyous and Cecile Mae Beaty Nov. 6, 1930 in Zeigler, Illinois. His natural father died in a coal mine accident when Earl was a small child. His mother remarried, and Earl grew up on a farm near Cunningham, Kentucky with his mother, step-father, and younger sister and brother. He graduated from Cunningham High School in 1947 as the valedictorian. He earned a bachelor's degree at Murray State College, and afterward, a doctorate degree in physics from Washington University in St. Louis. While in college, Earl met his future wife, Velma Cornette. They were married December 21, 1952. Upon earning his PhD in the mid-1950s, Earl embarked on a career as a research physicist. He started with the Bureau of Standards at their facility in Gaithersburg, MD. In 1962, Earl moved his family from Washington, DC to Boulder, CO, with a team of ten scientists and support staff, whose mission was to create the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) at the University of Colorado - Boulder. Earl was a JILA Fellow from 1962 - 1981 with expertise in the area of atomic and molecular physics. After leaving JILA, he ended his professional career with the Bureau of Standards (now known as NIST) in Boulder. During retirement, Earl took up the hobby of genealogy, and he joined and was past president of the Boulder Genealogical Society. Earl enjoyed outdoor activities with his three sons, including skiing, hiking, and camping. He and Velma enjoyed traveling, and together they visited much of the world. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and second-born son, Paul Glenn Beaty. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Velma, a brother, Ben Pease of Paducah, KY and sister Edyth (Andy Jackson) Kelly of Lexington, KY, sons David (Claudia) Beaty of Fullerton, CA and Neil (Sheri) Beaty of Arvada, five adult grandchildren, Brenda (Steve) Jones, Gregory Beaty, Alan Beaty, Haley (Dustin) Warner, Shannon Beaty and her husband, Jason Mizerek and five great-grandchildren. A celebration of Earl's life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 at Ralston Creek Neighborhood assisted living facility at 11825 W. 64 th Ave., Arvada (303) 284-7813.