Thomas Beeson Obituary

Thomas "Tommy" Thorneycroft Beeson

Passed away at home on Sunday, October 13, 2013. He was 87 years old. Tommy was born in Florida on March 23rd, 1926 to English immigrants, Tom and Lottie Beeson. He moved to San Francisco that year to the Fillmore District. Growing up there during the depression, he went to John Swett Elementary School where he established his lifelong love of music. He was drafted into the Navy while in high school and saw action as a Navy Coxswain delivering men and supplies with his landing craft (Higgins Boat) in the Pacific Theatre. He saw action at Saipan, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and he was among the first boats to land on mainland Japan. After the war, he became a professional Jazz musician, playing the double bass and singing. He performed in venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area such as The Sweetwater (original), Sabella's, China Smith's and Bix. He notably played (or was associated) with Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band, The Duxbury Trio, Larry Vukovich, Vince Guaraldi, Monte Budwig, Bryce Rhode, Lee Charlton and many other Jazz greats.

He moved to Mill Valley in 1967, a year after opening his barber shop, Thorneycroft's Tonsorium at 14 El Paseo. His shop was often the scene of spontaneous jazz sessions in between cuts throughout the 60's, 70's, 80's and into the 90's... He is survived by his son Thomas Beeson Jr. (Stacy) of Oakland, his daughter Deborah Border of Sonoma, his son Todd Beeson of Mill Valley, and his granddaughter, Jennilee Border of Gilroy, CA. He has rejoined his dear wife Joan, brother Basil, grandson Adam Border, son-in-law Steve Border and his beloved dog, Bogie!

A memorial will be held at The 2AM Club on Miller Ave in Mill Valley on Saturday, November 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. Jazz starts at 3 p.m., Everyone is welcome!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 8 to Nov. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Beeson

9 Entries

Todd Beeson

November 19, 2021

I miss my Dad

World's Greatest Grandparents

Jennilee Border

November 15, 2013

I have been truly blessed to have such wonderful grandparents. I will miss my Papa's sense of humor and our crazy adventures. I have fond memories as a kid hanging out in his barbershop, going for long walks with him as a teenager and going to Bix and Left Bank to watch him play his bass as an adult.
Papa, I love you and I miss you.

Jennilee

Jackie Ryan

November 15, 2013

Another one of our great musicians has moved on to his rightful place among the stars.
Heaven sure has one heeluva great band!

Bryce Rohde

November 14, 2013

Tom and Joan were one of the first couples I met when I arrived in Mill Valley from Australia more than 50 years ago. He eventually became my landlord and enjoyed many hours of music in his converted garage. With
Bob Clark we worked numerous Bay Area locations as the Duxbury Trio as well as some further afield places.Tommy had a fearless musical attitude which suited me just fine! I never saw him unhappy! I was able to visit him regularly at his home in Strawberry almost up to the day his son Todd called me with the sad news of his passing. My memories of him are many- and full of surprises. A never to be forgotten wonderful human being.

carlos Burns

November 13, 2013

Mr. Smith,
I think Tommy told me about you...
Carlos Burns

BILL/PAT SMITH

November 11, 2013

MY BARBER FOR OVER 30 YEARS! THE GUY THAT GOT ME PLAYING THR TRUMPET IN 1993 AT 57...NOTHING PRIOR!! TOM AND JOAN BECAME GREAT PERSONL FRIENDS.
A MOST SAD OCCASION!

Max Perkoff

November 11, 2013

Tommy was a family friend and fellow musician on many sessions and gigs over the years. My father Si Perkoff and I always loved his positive, easy-going manner. He was a man who enjoyed life fully, with a welcoming approach to all. Bless you Tommy.

Carlos Burns

November 10, 2013

It was a pleasure and joy to get know Tommy in the years since I moved here to Mill(Thrill) Valley. I only knew him casually over the years. But we became friendly when I "adopted" him as my barber. We had some wonderful conversations and fun. I used to copy a few "cdz" for him. One of em was a duo with rhythm section of trombonists Carl Fontana and the tragic Frank Rosolino. This is recorded live in Canada. They apparently were very friendly. It is a stunning display of some SWINGING lower brass playing. I don't remember if I was still in the chair or if Tommy hadn't started yet, or if he had finished my cut. But he moved away from the chair and stood transfixed moving slightly with the music maybe with eyes closed. It was just one of those moving moments in life with a friend/acquaintance...

Carlos Burns

November 10, 2013

It was a great pleasure and joy to get to know Tommy pretty well since I moved to "Thrill" Valley. I knew him only casually over the years. But I "adopted" him as my barber in Mill Valley. And we had some wonderful conversations and fun. I used to copy a few "cdz" for him. One of em was a duo with rhythm section of Carl Fontana and the tragic Frank Rosolino recorded in Canada live. They were apparently very friendly. It is a stunning display of some SWINGING lower brass playing. I don't remember if I was still in the chair or if Tommy hadn't started yet, or if he had finished my cut. But he moved away from the chair and stood transfixed moving slightly with the music maybe with eyes closed. It was just one of those moving moments in life with a friend/acquaintance...

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