Obituary: Joseph Fred ‘Freddy’ Beam, 88, Bardstown
Joseph Fred “Freddy” Beam, 88, of Bardstown, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at his home. He was born Oct. 5, 1936, in New Haven to the late Fred and Sarah Frances “Frankie” Clark Beam.
He graduated from St. Catherine Academy in New Haven where he played basketball and was part of the 1000 Point Club, before there was a 3 point line. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a Military Police officer at West Point for four years. He loved it there and talked about it often. After his time there, he returned home and began work at Barton’s Distillery. He coached basketball at St. Catherine Academy for three years and in that time, the team went to the regional tournament, the only time ever to go to regional in the school’s history.
He was instrumental in forming the New Haven Softball League and the Johnson Softball Marathon in which he played for many years. One of his greatest achievements was being inducted into the Kentucky Softball Association Hall of Honor. He served as District 15 Commissioner for 16 years and in 1980 was named Commissioner of the Year.
He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and he supported Bethlehem High School. He was a member of the Quarterback Club and volunteered at Colonial Nursing Home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Jane Pendleton; two brothers, Walter Beam and David Beam; and two infant brothers.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Margie Sims Beam; one sister, Sara Ann Culver of New Haven; one brother, Don (Liz) Beam of Louisville; five sisters-in-law, Carolyn Beam, Mary Lorene Ballard and Kathleen Hagan, all of Louisville, Anita Beam of Bardstown and Rosemary Edlin of Loretto; one brother-in-law, Jake Krill of Louisville; and many nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with the Rev. Terry Bradshaw and the Rev. Jacob Zulu officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, and 8:30-10:30 am. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 at the Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home with a 6 p.m. Sunday prayer service.
The Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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