Tributes

Longtime newspaper owner and publisher Andrew Wilhite McBeath died May 17, 2007 at the age of 84 after a lengthy illness. He was born on April 4, 1923 in Orange, Texas to Mittie Agnes Greene and Joaquin Sylvester McBeath whose career took the family to many Texas cities where they owned and published newspapers. He attended Brownsville High School where he lettered in football before enlisting in the Marine Corps shortly before World War II, serving six years in combat areas including the Pacific Theatre. Following his honorable discharge as a Gunnery Sergeant, he entered college and received a degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. He worked on newspapers in Dallas and Corpus Christi before purchasing the Eagle Pass News Guide and moving his family to that Texas border city where he spent many happy and successful years before retiring as owner and Publisher Emeritus and leaving a son in charge of the operation while he assumed residence in San Antonio. Maintaining a comradeship with his Marine Corps buddies and close friends from his school days, he was active for over half a century in his press association, serving in several positions including president. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Lolita Tracy and a son, Brett Allen McBeath. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, and six children: sons, Dexter McBeath and wife, Kay of Lumberton, Rex McBeath and wife, Debra of Eagle Pass, Blake McBeath and Cathleen of Eagle Pass; daughters, Melinda Horton and husband, Brian of Smithson Valley, Teresa McBeath and Nancy McBeath of San Antonio; grandchildren, John Andrew McBeath of Beaumont and Christopher McBeath of Florida, Joel Taylor McBeath and wife, Whitney of Lumberton, Darius Horton, Christian Horton, Jared Horton, Reed Horton and Joaquin Horton all of Smithson Valley, Taylor Dale McBeath of Eagle Pass , Samantha Minten and Francis Minten of San Antonio and Kyle McBeath of Eagle Pass; great-grandchildren, Avery McBeath of Beaumont and Kade Taylor McBeath of Lumberton; a brother, Sylvester McBeath of Sweetwater; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. The family extends its love and gratitude to his special friend, Henry Rodriguez, his physicians who helped him to several extra years of life, especially Dr. Melissa Isbell whose devotion over the past few years meant so much to him and his family; to longtime loyal News Guide employees Jesus Escontrias and Al Kinsall; and to the outstanding staff of Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital. Pallbearers are his six eldest grandsons, Andrew, Christopher, and Joel McBeath, Darius, Christian and Jared Horton. Honorary pallbearers are Eugene Palmer, Gilbert and Tom Vetters and his many friends from Mitchells Restaurant and Bar where he regularly spent two hours each weekday evening for a decade. Services Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 21, 2007 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

Tributes

Andrew Wilhite McBeath

April 4, 1923 - May 17, 2007