Major Thomas (Tom) Beyer died July 30, 1968 in Vietnam and has been missing until his remains were found and identified in 2010.
Thomas (Tom) Beyer was born to Charles (Chuck) and Sylpha Beyer in Fargo on March 10, 1941. He grew up here, attended school in Fargo, and graduated from Shanley High School in Fargo. Tom then attended NDSU from which he received his bachelor’s degree. While at NDSU he served in the ROTC program, received training as a pilot, and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. Thomas Beyer and Karen Sexhus were married in Fargo on February 1, 1963. Their daughter, Sandra was born in 1964 and their son, Steven, was born in 1966. Tom completed his pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Enid Oklahoma. He flew B-52s out of Loring Air Force Base, Maine before being transferred to Chu Lai, Vietnam. Tom was an O2 forward air controller and was shot down in Vietnam on July 30, 1968.
Tom loved his family, playing the piano, flying, hunting, and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, Fargo; his daughter, Sandra (Kyle) Meyer, Hillsboro, ND; his son, Steven (Kullen) Beyer, Brooklyn Park, MN; Sandra and Kyle’s children, Katrina, Rachel, and Thomas Kyle; Steven and Kullen’s children, Thomas John and Emelia; and sister, Elizabeth (Tony) Schoemehl, Moraga, CA. Tom’s parents and his brother, Merle both passed away without knowing his fate. He was preceded in death by his son, John Sanford.
The funeral service will be at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2010. Visitation and coffee will be from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Saturday in the lower hall of the Cathedral. Burial will be at Holy Cross North Cemetery, Fargo.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home