Grafton Lee Beasley, 60, of Clancy died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family, early Thursday morning, Oct. 9, 2008, following a short battle with cancer.

Grafton was born to Grafton Lee and Barbara Jean (Vinacke) Beasley Sr. on March 8, 1948, in Hollywood, Calif. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Blanche Marshall Kauffman, on a ranch near Canyon Creek. He attended grade school in Wilburn and graduated from Helena High School in 1966.

Grafton served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1971 as a radioman, 3rd class petty officer. During his time of military service, he received the Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals. Grafton continued and completed his education in computer programming in 1971 through the LaSalle Extension University.

Grafton married Carol I. Huddleston on Aug. 1, 1970. Two children were born to the union: son, Kelsey, and daughter, Shauna. Carol died of cancer in 1979.

He later married Mary Rose Lashinski on Jan. 11, 1986. Three children were brought to this marriage: daughters, Jamie and Veronica, and son, Anthony. Mary Rose and Grafton divorced in 2001.

Grafton worked for the Office of Public Instruction from 1968 to 1971 as a clerk and multilith operator and then worked a short time for the Silver City Sawmill from 1971 to 1973.

In 1973, Grafton resumed his work for OPI as a programmer/analyst, finally retiring from the State of Montana in 1993.

Grafton enjoyed the simple things in life and Mother Nature's true beauty, living his life centered around his family and good friends. Grafton was pure of heart, selfless and genuine and possessed an unconditional love for everyone. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, snowmobiling and putzing around his house. He preferred to handle each piece of firewood at least eight times before burning it. He also enjoyed taking care of his inept neighbors and hated losing a cribbage game to his lady friend, Robin.

Grafton would ask his grandkids, Cooper, Walker, Carly, Dylan, Austin and Braden, "Has your belly button been checked for lint lately?" The grandkids would ask (beg) to be tickled!

Grafton was preceded in death by his mother and father; grandmother, Blanche Marshall Kauffman, grandfather, Anthony John Marshall; first wife, Carol I. Beasley, and sister, Candy Mayes.

Grafton is survived by his children, Shauna Ryan (Butch) of Helena, Kelsey Beasley (Kelly) of Elizabeth City, N.C., Jamie Beasley of Bozeman, Veronica Beasley of Miles City and Anthony Beasley of Helena; sisters, Sheri Wolf and Michele Reinhard; brother-in-law, Dan Reinhard; six grandchildren, Cooper, Walker and Carly Ryan and Dylan, Austin and Braden Beasley. He is also survived by his companion and dear lady friend, Robin Lyda of Helena.

Viewing hours will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Retz Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. There will be a reception at the Fort Harrison Service Club immediately following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Grafton's name to A-Plus Hospice, 1300 Aspen, Suite 2 Helena, MT 59601; TVs for Vets, GPF 8806, P.O. Box 167, Fort Harrison, MT 59636; or to the Disabled American Veterans, VA Regional Office, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. To offer condolences to Grafton's family or to share a memory of Grafton, please visit www.mem.com.