Obituary of Herbert Beaujon

Herbert Beaujon, age 92, was born on March 18, 1930, and passed from this life on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. His parents were Jan Rudeloff Beaujon and Anna Maria Hage-Beaujon. He was born a U.S. Citizen to his naturalized U.S. parents living in Venezuela at the time of his birth. He was subsequently raised in Aruba, as his father was an executive engineer for a U.S. oil company. At age 16, Herb was accepted to Rutgers Preparatory School in New Jersey, as had been two of his brothers before him. He had a talent for painting, and during his twenties, predominantly, he painted portraits, seascapes, and scenes depicting injustices against humanity. This talent was admired by many and was passed down to his daughter, Valerie, and his granddaughter, Andrea. One of his paintings, entitled “Orchestra”, he gifted to the music teacher at Rutgers. It was auctioned off by the school in spring of 2022. Upon completion of high school at Rutgers, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge after his service. He served overseas, and then was sent for training as an Aeronautical Draftsman. After his service, he worked as a Civilian Draftsman for four years and earned enough money to help build his mother a new home and save for college. Using the savings remaining and the GI Bill, Herb decided to attend OSU at Stillwater, Okla., he became a Geologist and work in the oil industry as his father and brothers did. he received his private pilot’s license and, while completing the geology degree at OSU, met Ruby Jo McMurry of Ardmore, Okla., who was pursuing a Masters in English. The two were married in 1958 in Ardmore. Upon graduation, he accepted a job with Shell Oil as an Exploratory Geologist stationed in Venezuela. He and Jo moved to Maracaibo where he led a team exploring for oil in the “Jungles of Venezuela” as he referred to them. After completion of the exploratory adventure, a duration of three years, he and Jo moved to Aruba to be close to his family where he opened a sign and printing business designing postcards, signs, and t-shirts. The hand-drawn cartoons on postcards and screen-printed T-shirts depicted Aruba scenes and people with funny captions. Herb and Jo lived in Aruba eight years where their first two children were born, Anna and Valerie. The family moved back to the U.S. in 1968. Their son Bill was born a year later in Ardmore. Herb worked for the Ada, Oklahoma, Newspaper the first year back in the U.S., and then accepted a job for the Tulsa World and Tribune in advertising layout design and cartooning from 1969-1973. Aside from single cartoons, he authored a cartoon strip called “The Puffs” about a “Dennis the Menace” type boy” and their funny furry family involved in predicaments due to his antics. Herb, Jo, and family moved to Ardmore, upon the death of Jo’s mother to be closer to family. Jo worked as a high school English teacher and librarian, and later, school administrator while Herb worked as a realtor. Herb established the multi-listing exchange between realtors in Ardmore, a concept now essential to selling real-estate today. He continued working in real estate for 40 years, doing appraisals for the VA, FHA, and local banks, until his retirement at age 80. In the evenings in the 1970’s, during his first years as a realtor, he also worked diligently on designing ultralight aircraft designs and plans, something that started as a hobby, but culminated in worldwide recognition as “Best Ultralight Aircraft Designs”. Beaujon Ultralights is well-known among enthusiasts, with planes still flying and being built. Beaujon Ultralights can be found on Wikipedia and multiple internet sites recognizing those achievements. Among these recognitions, his designs are known as the safest ultralight aircraft, homebuilt designs, and include calculated charts still used in some aeronautical college courses today. Jo passed away suddenly in 1997, at the age of 63, causing deep sadness and a change in Herb that lasted a lifetime. After retirement, Herb enjoyed playing the harmonica with friends in a musical group once a week at a restaurant in Ardmore. He loved to sit on the porch and visit with people in the evenings. His joy was to spend all time possible with his friends, family, children, and grandchildren after retirement. His friends and family remember him for his witty and dry sense of humor, unique genius, practicality, and underlying sentimental reflections on life as he got older. He always found the most joy in sitting on the porch in the evenings and talking with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Jo McMurry-Beaujon, parents, Anna Maria Hage-Beaujon and Jan Rudeloff Beaujon, and his brothers, Rudy, Everett, Richard, and Jacky. Herb is survived by his three children and their spouses (in order of birth), Anna Duran and son-in-law, Claudio, Valerie Beaujon-Azad and son-in-law, Hamid “Sumon”, and Bill Beaujon; his sister, Pina Schilders and brother-in-law Jan, and sister-in-law, Grace Beaujon; his grandchildren (in order of birth) Eric, Anthony, Andrea, Monica, Natasha, Alex, and great-grandchild, Phoenix; numerous nieces and nephews in Houston, Ohio, Holland, and Aruba. Herb’s wish was to be cremated. Virtual visitation and signing of the “book” are available online at www.griffinhillcrest.com. Because most family live out-of-state, in Holland, and Aruba, a virtual memorial service will be held by Zoom. Call or text daughter, Anna, for link: (580) 222-5343. In lieu of flowers or food, memory cards (something you remember about Herb written on a card) are greatly appreciated: annabeaujon@outlook.com or Beaujon, PO Box 2121, Ardmore, OK 73402. Herb’s Frequent Sayings: • This food is so good I wish I had three stomachs like a cow so I could ruminate for hours. • Never explain, complain, or apologize. Just do the best you can. • In Dutch: Het slechte onkruid sterft niet (Bad weeds don’t die) • I ask God if its time yet and he says, “No, you have to live enough being good years to make up for the ornery years.” • Better to go with the flow and see where it takes you than fight the waves. • I’m full of advice - ……...not only advice. • Every time I try to be perfect, it almost kills me. • I’d go to the doctor, but they are all dead. • “I could make a cartoon of what just happened” Condolences may be left at www.griffinhillcrest.com.