James Michael Beuerlein

James Michael Beuerlein ("Mike"), of Austin TX, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the age of 93. Mike was born to the late John Adolph and Sophia Anna Held Beuerlein on Valentine's Day in 1931, at home on the family farm in Lawrenceburg, TN, the last of eleven children. He grew up and attended high school in Lawrenceburg and upon graduation in 1949 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for a 4-year stint that took him overseas to Germany. During those years, Mike was a standout pitcher for his squadron's softball team earning him the nickname "Shoulders".

After leaving the Air Force Mike attended the University of Tennessee on the GI bill where he earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1958 and married Druscilla Truitt ("Dru"), also from Lawrenceburg. They moved to Kansas where Mike began his career with Koss Construction alongside a couple of his brothers who worked there. Incidentally, he was recruited by a minor league baseball team in St. Louis at the same time but felt the Koss job would be more secure considering he and Dru were about to start their family. Mike and team built interstate highways in connection with the newly created Eisenhower Interstate Highway initiative. The family moved from town to town throughout Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri as roadways were completed. In 1967, the family moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL where Mike took a position at Metric Systems and later Design Build Systems. During his 15 years at Design Build he designed hundreds of buildings. He was truly an exceptional civil engineer who could build anything or fix anything.

Mike was also a rare combination of athlete and 'mathlete'. He water skied, snow skied and enjoyed playing softball, tennis and ping pong for many years. Near the end of his life when all could do was walk, he did that daily, maintaining fitness his entire life. About the only activity he did not excel in was swimming … with no body fat, he had no buoyancy!

As a 'mathlete', Mike taught slide rule classes in college while earning his degree. Through his involvement in the National Society of Professional Engineers he sponsored 'Math Counts' competitions at the local middle schools.

Like Dru, Mike valued family and together they organized and hosted many family reunions as well as several high school reunions. They also shared an enthusiasm for life that included travel to many interesting places and countries and created a collection of travel memories that embodied their shared adventurous spirit. Their travels took them to China, Russia, Machu Picchu, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Panama Canal and rafting through the Grand Canyon as well as many snow skiing trips. They truly enjoyed exploring different cultures, cuisines, and experiences.

Mike was predeceased by Dru, his beloved wife of 66 years, who passed away just over 8 months ago on January 19th, 2024. He leaves behind his 3 children: Julia Edmonston (Anthony), Michael Beuerlein (Brigitte) and Stephan Beuerlein (Laura) as well as 7 grandchildren: Julia's daughters Cilla Poppell (Taylor) and Ashley Campbell (David), Michael's children Bailey and John Beuerlein, and Stephan's sons William, James and Richard Beuerlein and 2 great grandchildren: Crawford Campbell and James Poppell. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews (at last count, 44).

The family wishes to thank Estella Avilla, Aneta Wnetrweska and Maria Mojica for the loving care they provided to both Mike and Dru in their final years.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Austin's Catholic Church in Austin, TX on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 10 A.M., followed by a celebration of life. Throughout his entire life Mike was a devout Catholic who attended Mass every Sunday. His family asks that if you are so moved, memorial donations may be made in his honor to St. Austin Catholic Church at 2026 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX 78705.