Donald Wilmith Beams II March 5, 1946 – February 7, 2014

A celebration of Don’s life will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. A viewing will be held at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy from 8:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M., followed by a funeral mass at St. Mary Church, Gilroy at 10:00 A.M.
 On Friday February 7, 2014, Donald Wilmith Beams II lost his hard fought battle with cancer.
 Don, proud owner of Don Beams’ Automotive, named Gilroy’s #1 Auto Repair Shop in the Dispatch 2012 reader’s poll, was 67 years old.  
 Born in Rhode Island on March 5, 1946, Don was older brother to Robert Beams, and oldest child to his parents Donald Beams and Lucille Beams (deceased).  
 From an early age, Don possessed a love for all things mechanical and was given his first job repairing lawn mowers shortly after turning eight years old. After moving cross country from Rhode Island to Los Gatos, CA, Don was eventually drafted into the United States Navy where he served for four years working on submarines.
 After release from the Navy, Don began working for the city of San Jose where he was a loyal employee-retiring after 28 years of managing the 10th largest fleet in the US. In his free time, Don enjoyed being a member of the Team Eagle pit crew, working in his automotive shop, and cooking a BBQ masterpiece with his family.
 Don is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 37 years, Mary. Don also leaves behind two beautiful, loving children, Sarah and Matt.
 Otherwise known as “Popo,” Don also leaves behind his two gorgeous granddaughters, Jasmine and Kaylie Antrim.