Beverly Jean Behymer

The world lost a firecracker of a woman. Beverly Jean Behymer passed away on May 25, 2019, at home with her husband, Ken and Ken’s daughter, Amy, by her side, one day after their 23rd wedding anniversary.

A beautiful and amazing woman known for her infectious laugh, sharp wit, and keen sense of humor, ever present to the end.

Bev was born in Duarte, California on April 17, 1955 to Robert W. and June E. Goodell. Growing up in Duarte her big sister Maggie providing guidance in a way that only a big sister can look out after her little sister. Their father provided many practical lessons to both his daughters that has served them well their entire lives. After graduating from Duarte High School in 1973 she began work in Los Angeles holding positions with Union Carbide and the National Labor Relations Board. In the mid-1980s she moved to Grants Pass, where with her then husband Gary Parrish had a son Dusty Parrish. Dusty resides in East Palo Alto, California with his life partner Anne Alvin.

Bev married Ken Behymer in 1996. Team Behymer lived together, worked together, and played together. Ken & Bev started and built a successful accounting firm; she worked for the firm until health reasons forced her retirement on October 31, 2018. They sailed the waters of Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and the Canadian Gulf Islands, nearly every summer during their 23-year marriage. They rode the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) in 2004; a two day back-to-back 100-mile bike ride. They enjoyed golfing, bicycling, skiing, concerts, theatre, fishing, and going to Maui together.

She loved to quilt, knit and crochet; always making something for a friend. She was a member of the Grants Pass Golf Club and was a proud member of the Grants Pass Women’s 18-Hole Golf Association.

Surviving Bev are her husband, Ken, her sister Maggie Pagano of Winter Springs, Florida, her son Dusty of East Palo Alto, California; three nephews Eric, Anthony, and Nicholas Pagano all of whom she loved dearly; Ken’s two daughters Amy Fox (Parker) of Bellevue, Washington and Megan Moritz (Jeff) of Glendale, Oregon; and Megan’s and Jeff’s five daughters Bailey, Aireal, Seaira, Ember, and Charlotte all who had loving relationships with Bev; and Florence Behymer who was married to Ken’s father and with whom Bev had a special, loving relationship.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.