Gerald "Jerry" Patrick Beem

Gerald "Jerry" Patrick Beem, 64, of La Grande died July 6 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Walla Walla after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Vigil prayer and a rosary will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Jerry was born Feb. 5, 1944, to Marion and John Beem in Duluth, Minn. He grew up in St. Paul, Minn.

Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps in one of the first units to arrive in Vietnam. He later attended the University of Nebraska, earning a bachelor's degree in sociology. He attended classes at Drake University, earning a master's of science degree in teaching. Later he attended the University of Guam, earning a second masters of science degree in guidance and counseling.

Jerry dedicated his career to helping children as a school counselor, working in K-12 schools both domestically and internationally.

He spent time in Korea and Germany while working for the Department of Defense and traveled extensively throughout the contiguous United States, Guam, Hawaii and Alaska.

His love of travel took him to all corners of the globe. He spent time in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and North and South America.

Jerry held a deep love of reading and exploration. He was curious about the world and the people he met, always in search of the deeper meaning or bigger picture in everything he encountered. His grandchildren called him Papa.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; five children, Reanna Beem, Shelley Beem, Mark Beem, Lori DeHart and her husband Ryan, and Melissa Pittman and her husband, Clint; 15 grandchildren; brother, Keith Beem and his wife, Margaret; two nephews; and his sister, Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church or the Relay for Life.