Everett Walsh Beelman

1942 - 2022

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, Everett Walsh Beelman passed away at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, LA. His adoring family surrounded him with love and never left his side. Everett was born on October 12, 1942, to Elizabeth Walsh Beelman and Everett Irving Beelman in Memphis, TN, where his father was transferred briefly, but Everett soon returned to New Orleans, not even a year old, to live the rest of his life. He attended Holy Name of Jesus School and often told stories of riding his bicycle through Audubon Park before dawn to serve as an altar boy at the church. He graduated from De La Salle High School and returned in later years to De La Salle as a teacher, a coach, and eventually as parent and grandparent of Cavaliers, as president of the parents' club, president of the alumni board, and a recipient of Alumnus of the Year. Everett earned BA degrees from both Southeastern Louisiana University and Tulane University and a Masters from Loyola University. He was so very proud to serve in the United States Marine Corps in the 60's and 70's; he was the honor grad and received the "Dress Blues" upon graduation from Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC. Everett became a teacher, coach, and guidance counselor for many years, though not always consecutive years, in the Jefferson Parish Public School System. In fact, while at East Jefferson H.S., he met his beloved wife of 51 years, Michele. He was the swimming coach, teacher, and disciplinarian, and she a student teacher from Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University. Always eager to try new things and quite the entrepreneur, Everett purchased the Maple Hill Restaurant in 1972; he often said, "He gave a party for a living" till 1982. In the meantime, he opened the Armadillo East, a country & western venue. Ernest Tubb, Asleep at the Wheel, David Allen Coe, and even Steppenwolf were among the headliners. In 1983, he embarked on a career as project manager for the Petroleum Pavilion at the World's Fair in New Orleans, the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. He went on to work with MRC Builders on such projects as the second expansion of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which led to his working with the Young Leadership Council as liaison to add the lights on the Crescent City Connection over the Mississippi River. All this time, Everett was also busy buying and renovating rental properties and working in real estate sales. He loved volunteering, especially when it involved cooking! He spent many Sundays with the St Vincent De Paul Society of Holy Name of Jesus preparing meals for the Ozanam Inn and was always helping with school fundraisers and banquets. He provided housing in his own properties on many occasions after disasters for families in need. Everett loved the people of New Orleans from all walks of life and all areas, enjoyed good loyal friends everywhere, and he, with longtime best friends, was known for giving for 53 years the Mardi Gras Party in Audubon Park. Everett is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Michele McClure Beelman; his children Everett Irving Beelman II (Melanie) and Erik Ralston Beelman; his grandchildren Tyler Hodge Beelman and Teagan Walsh Beelman; and his sister Lola Beelman Reese (S. Gordon, Jr.); as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Walsh Beelman and Everett Irving Beelman, and by his son Eean Alexander Beelman. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 12 noon, Friday, April 1, 2022. Visitation at the church will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Interment follows at Greenwood Cemetery, 5190 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Everett Walsh Beelman's honor to De La Salle High School, 5300 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115, or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.