John Whitaker Beavans

RALEIGH-
John Whitaker Beavans, age 62, of Raleigh, NC passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 1, 2023. John was born in Enfield, NC on July 5, 1960, to Nina Whitaker Beavans and Samuel Clark Beavans. John was the youngest of five siblings and enjoyed playing sports, participating in Boy Scouts, hunting, and riding dirt bikes with what would become some of his dearest lifelong friends.
During his childhood, he assisted his father and uncles in the operation of Beavans Drug Store in Enfield, NC where he would work the soda and ice cream counter. Though extremely disciplined in most aspects of life, John's sweet tooth and fondness of ice cream will be well remembered.
John graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1978 and earned a B.S. in Business Administration at East Carolina University in 1982. Post-graduation, John moved to Raleigh, NC where he went to work for Wallace Computer Services and McBee Binders as a sales rep. In August of 1995, John became a founding member and eventual President of a small business, Job Finder, USA. John's charisma and personality helped grow the business to 30+ employees in multiple locations nationwide. After closing the business in 2020, John changed courses of his career by pursuing real estate and becoming an agent for Fonville Morisey. He thoroughly enjoyed being able to engage with new clients, help navigate the home-buying process, and most of all, walking plots of land with prospective buyers.
For over 50 years, the Beavans Family has enjoyed an annual one-week vacation at Topsail Beach, NC. Throughout John's childhood, this was regarded as one of his most treasured experiences where he developed his love for fishing, boating, and relishing time with family. In June of 1987 while on the annual trip to Topsail, John prepared to take his father, Sam, fishing. Sam was notorious for getting seasick, but before even leaving the canal they were staying on, they passed by a young lady staying two doors down. Sam immediately asked John to turn the boat around and for him to ask the young lady to go fishing with him. That young lady's name was René.
John and René fell in love and shared hobbies of water skiing, fishing, and windsurfing in their favorite place of Topsail Beach, NC. The very next year, in June of 1988, John proposed to René on the sand dunes overlooking the ocean. Topsail became a place not only near and dear to their own hearts, but also of their four kids.
After getting married on October 29, 1989, they enjoyed 34 years of marriage that included sons, Samuel and Michael, and twin daughters, Rachel and Anna. John was known for being a father for more than just his own kids. His leadership, passion for life, contagiously positive attitude, and willingness to pursue what is right will live on through all the lives he touched.
Outside of work, John enjoyed spending time either at Topsail or the family farm. He enjoyed preparing food plots, hunting, and fishing with his children, who were the joy of his life. He loved each and every one of his dogs throughout the years and liked nothing more than waking up early to enjoy a cup of coffee with a four-legged companion. Each fall, he enjoyed watching ECU Pirate Football and was a long-time season ticket holder. A man of many talents and honors, he also served as an officiant for several weddings for those close to the Beavans family.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Nina and Sam Beavans. He is survived by his wife, René Williams Beavans; son, Samuel Gray Beavans (wife Logan); son, Michael Whitaker Beavans (wife Claire and soon-to-be baby boy); daughter, Rachel Addison Beavans; daughter, Anna Lee Beavans; brother, Samuel Clark Beavans, Jr.; and sisters, 'Lizabeth Beavans Collins, Anna Beavans Dougherty, and Martha Beavans Postma.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org) or the N.C. Wildlife Endowment Fund (https://www.ncwildlife.org/Donate); John supported both causes consistently throughout his life.
Our family would like to thank all of the friends and family for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
4:00 PM
Asbury Church
6612 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC 27613