Jeffrey Jacob ‘Jake’ Beaton, 59, passed on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at his home in Virginia Beach. Jeff was born in Memphis, Tenn., to the late John M. Beaton and Lois R. Washburn.
He is survived by his brothers, John, Joe, and his wife, Linda, and Jason, and his wife, Jennifer; stepfather, George Washburn; stepchildren, Lisa Gilmore and Becky Greboski; four grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Jeff had been a quadriplegic for nearly 39 years as the result of a tragic trampoline accident as a third-year student at the University of Virginia. Short of intermittent illnesses, nothing slowed Jeff down. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Jeff went on to law school at UVA and practiced law for 30 years. Jeff authored a book, songs and several magazine articles championing the rights of the disabled. Jeff was an accomplished landscape artist, was named ‘Man of the Year’ by the Virginia Beach Jaycees and was an adjunct professor at Tidewater Community College for 15 years. Jeff also served as a member of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission and chairman of a training and advisory center for the disabled.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Smith & Williams Kempsville Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spinal Chord Research at Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
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