Tom Dan Beary
COLUMBIA — Columbia native Tom Dan Beary, who had a career in the hospitality industry that included managing Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Cedar Park, Texas. He was 45.
He was born on Oct. 16, 1965, in Columbia to Tom S. and Dorothy Beary.
Mr. Beary graduated from Rock Bridge High School in 1984. He worked with his family for many years at Bargain Barn; his father owned the defunct discount store. He also worked as a bartender and manager at other businesses in Columbia.
Mr. Beary moved throughout the country, working as a manager at Applebee’s in Panama City Beach, Fla., and at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. He went to Cedar Park, Texas, where he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy with a degree in patisserie and baking. He worked at Crystal Falls Golf Course in Leander, Texas, as a kitchen manager.
He was fighting pulmonary hypertension for three years and was waiting for a lung transplant.
“Tom was just such a happy person,” sister Jackie Beary said. “He was very outgoing and had many friends.”
Jackie Beary said her brother would want his friends to celebrate his life and not mourn his passing.
“He would light up the room when he came in. ... He was a great brother. Simply that.”
Mr. Beary is survived by two sisters, Jackie Beary of Columbia and Barbara and Frank Brown of Leander, Texas; a brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Becky Beary of Columbia; two nieces, Whitney Brown and Bobbi McCormack; and many aunts, uncles and other family members.
A memorial service will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the First Christian Church at Tenth and Walnut streets. Contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
