Dr. E. Beaton, Dds

Donald E. "Gene" Beaton was born on December 30, 1941 in Cheyenne, WY to Donald A. and Mary Beaton. Early in 1942, Gene's family moved to Sheridan, WY - where his father entered the real estate and ranching business. Along with his five sisters, Gene attended Holy Name Elementary School and Sheridan High School, graduating in 1960. He played on the Sheridan High School Wyoming State football team 1957 through '58.

In 1960 the family moved back to Cheyenne and Gene enrolled in Creighton University in Omaha, NE. He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta and graduated from Creighton's School of Dentistry in 1967. In June of that same year, he married Linda K. Meyers of Holdrege, NE. They relocated to Salt Lake City, UT - where he worked as an assistant to a PhD candidate on a bone research project at the University of Utah.

He was enrolled into the U.S. Army in September of 1967, and was selected to head the oral surgery dental clinic #2 at Fort Hood, TX. After approximately six months, he was given additional rotations in prosthetics and endodontics and taught "combat dentistry" to special forces units who were enroute to Vietnam. While at Ft. Hood, Gene was blessed with the arrival of one of his greatest accomplishments - his daughter Kathy. In 1969, with his Army service obligation completed, he parted with an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Captain. He remained in the Army reserve for the following two years.

With his service obligation complete, Gene moved his family to Rawlins, WY to partner with Dr. James Pepper. In 1971, Dr. Beaton purchased Dr. Pepper's private dental practice. In October of that same year his second greatest accomplishment, Patrick, was born. In 1983, he was appointed to the Wyoming Board of Dental Examiners by Gov. Ed Herschler and served as the Secretary of the Board until 1987. He also served as the President of the local Rotary Club, was a member of the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce, was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and served as the Chairman of the Rawlins PROUD committee. He was a member of Central Regional Dental Testing Service, the American Association of Dental Examiners, and was a lifetime member of the Wyoming Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He also held Dental Licensure in three other states.

In 1979, Dr. Beaton married the love of his life Nancy (Holden) Beaton. Nancy brought three children of her own into the mix - Marjorie, Cheryl, and Greg. Gene and Nancy went on to watch each of their 5 children grow and achieve success in life. He continued to practice dentistry (with Nancy as office manager), and served the good people of Rawlins and Carbon county until retiring the private practice in 2000.

With the five children well on their own, Gene and Nancy ventured to Green Bay, WI where he worked for Dental Associates Ltd. It was quite a new path for the two of them, and they made wonderful friends while there.

In 2003 he secured a position in Casper, WY at the Community Health Center of Central Wyoming, Inc., helping establish the dental division which worked in conjunction with the University of WY Family Medicine Residency Program and Clinic. He was very passionate about helping people within the program, and was so proud to be asked to join the Governing Board of the Educational Health Center of Wyoming.

He retired from dentistry after 41 years in 2008. Retirement found him missing the chance to help people. After searching for a way to help others, he discovered NOWCAP - where he worked as a Direct-Care Professional for a while, and made friendships that lasted the rest of his life. Up until his passing, he was still doing paperwork part time for Natrona County Drug Testing Service - where again he loved and was loved by his co-workers and the people.

He spent his entire life always "giving" to all around him. Gene was absolutely a family man first... The best Dad in the world! He was a Wyoming native thru and thru. He could always be found golfing, fishing the North Platte river, and watching the Wyoming Cowboys play. He was such an avid Pokes fan. Over the last few years, Gene enjoyed the summer ritual of fly-fishing the North Platte near Casper with family, friends, and grandchildren. Dr. Donald E. "Gene" Beaton's greatest achievement was that there were no limits when it came to helping others. Gene truly left everything he had (in the form of love) on the playing field of love. He was truly a great man and will be missed immensely.

He is survived by his wife Nancy of Casper, WY. They would have celebrated 41 years of marriage on December 29th of this year. He is also survived by his children: Kathy Reh (John) and their daughter Katelyn, son Patrick Beaton and his son Colin. Gene has five sisters: MaryAnn Hastings, Betty Bea Ebner, Patricia Paynich, Cecelia Sobonya, Charlotte Maharg (Walter). He is also survived by a special cousin, Billy Farthing of Lander, WY. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, some residing in Ireland. Gene is also survived by three stepchildren: Marjorie Joens (Scott), Cheryl Jones (Pat) and Greg Tarantino (Missy). Seven grandchildren: Katelyn, Colin, Randy, Carson, Gage, Samantha, and Adam as well as two great grandchildren, Juliana and Lucia. He was preceded in death by his father - Donald Beaton, mother - Mary Beaton, nephew - Steve Sobonya, cousin - Karen Ann Farthing, and brother-in-laws Col. Jack Hastings, Robert Ebner, and Robert Paynich.

Private Military Burial Services will be held 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 29th, 2020, at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery, 80 Veterans Rd, Evansville, WY 82636. Due to COVID, a memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to: Wyoming Catholic Charities, or Radius Church (Formerly Casper Faith Assembly of God) Missions Program.

A Memorial service for Gene is planned for a later date. To leave a message for the family please visit the guestbook below below.