Joe Roy Bean, 91
Funeral services for Joe Roy Bean, 91, of West Plains, were held Oct. 25, 2025, at Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Bean died Oct. 18, near West Plains, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 25, 1933, outside of Bakersfield, to Raymond and Alice “Faye” Atkinson Bean.
Joe was the second born out of eight boys. He attended schools at Plum Hollow, Bakersfield Elementary, Hog Danger and Barren Creek, and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the class of 1942.
After graduating, at age 17, Joe went to Kansas to harvest wheat for a family friend. After harvest was complete and he returned home, he had a friend visiting from Belvidere, Illinois, who said he would get Joe a job in Belvidere. He went there and worked in a tomato factory and at a gas station, but his favorite job was at the ice cream plant. He had just been promoted when he got the call to be examined for the draft.
Joe moved back home and instead of waiting to be drafted, he chose to enlist in the Army. At the time of enlistment there were only two positions left between him and another young man. After drawing straws, the other soldier got the Air Force, and he got the Army. A few weeks later at the end of May, Joe was sworn into the Army in Kansas City then bussed to Camp Crowder, near Neosho, then bussed to Fort Leonard Wood, for 16 weeks of basic training. Because he had enlisted for three years, he was with a group of soldiers that were ordered to remain in Fort Leonard Wood for additional training before being shipped to Germany as utility engineers. The 2-year enlistees were shipped to Korea.
While stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Joe got weekend passes to come home. One of those weekends changed his life forever. Ruth Juanita Driscoll caught his attention while he sat outside the Bakersfield First Assembly of God church during a revival service watching “the show.” Little did he know that within a few months’ time, he would become a born-again Christian during that six-week revival, fall in love and marry his bride, but that’s just what happened and on Oct. 24, 1953, they were wed. Juanita was his rose in the flower garden of life. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in November 2023, before she died in January 2024.
On Jan. 3, 1954, he began his 30 month journey to Germany. Joe kept his integrity with the Lord and his wife. He joined an Assembly of God group in Germany and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost while there.
His life as a civilian began Memorial weekend 1956. Juanita had purchased and furnished a little farm outside West Plains and couldn't wait for his arrival home. His first job was working for an iron ore mine. In November 1957, he was approached by the Neatherys to work as a lineman at their new business, Community Cable Company. As the radio station tower service and repairman, he climbed many, many towers and only had one major fall. Thanks to the miracle hand of God, he sustained minor injuries.
In 1985, Joe sustained injuries while trimming a tree in his spare time. After spending a few weeks in a Springfield hospital and six months in recovery, he was finally able to work again. Robertson-Drago Funeral Home approached him about working there. He got his funeral director's license and remained with Robertson-Drago for over 25 years.
Joe was ordained as a minister in the early 80s. He was a faithful lay-preacher, having served as a trustee/deacon in the home church that he helped build, Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle. Joe left for three years to pastor his hometown church, Full Gospel Church in Bakersfield. Joe faithfully worked, served and ministered every way he could to help establish a conservative, Full Gospel independent work, free from organizational influence. He was a pastor and preacher backer.
Thanks to the Neatherys, he was given radio air time at which he led a Sunday morning radio broadcast for many years along with fulfilling many roles during transitioning of pastors. Being a firm believer in Christian education, Joe helped establish Calvary Christian Academy and CrossRoads Christian Academy, serving on both boards. Other preaching ministries included holding revivals in little country churches in this area. He officiated many, many funerals and a few weddings.
In his spare time, Joe was actively involved as a firefighter, having served with the West Plains Fire Department as a volunteer fireman for 31 years. After his resignation from the Bakersfield church, he returned to West Plains and was immediately placed on the board of Howell Rural Fire Department where he remained as president until May 2024.
Joe also served as a board member of the Fair View School board for many years. He drove cars for local car dealers. He also served in the West Plains unit of the Veteran's Honor Guard; it was his passion as long as he could attend.
Joe loved hunting and fishing. While pastoring, he had a boat named “Visitation.” As a joke, he would tell how long he'd been out on “visitation.” He loved fishing. The highlight of his year was when the Toney family showed up for deer season. Joe and Victor Toney were kindred spirits and enjoyed their time fishing and hunting together.
He is survived by their children: son, Michael Joe Bean and wife, Paula, of Princeton, Indiana, and their children; Johanna (Dominic) Chicago, Illinois, Kristin (Collin) Lee Summit and Bracy (Briana) Springfield and 10 grandchildren: Eli, Jude, Ila, CJ, Benny Paul, Gabriele, Juliette, Evelyn, Olivia, James. Daughter, Tamala Ruth Riggs and husband, Ray, West Plains, their child; Tabitha (Anson) Miller West Plains, and three grandchildren: Lucas, Liam, Lance; late daughter, Anna Rafae Johnston, her husband, David, New Brunswick, Canada, their child; Courtney Anne New Brunswick, Canada, and the late Alicia; their son, James Timothy Bean and wife, Judy, Jefferson City, his children; Nathanael (Hailey) Joplin, and James Martin (Brittany) West Plains and three grandchildren: Colter, Quinn, Cheyanne, and the late Timberlee and Lathe; their son John Mark Bean and wife, Daralena, Slovakia, their children; Dara (James) Thomas Springfield; Dale Joseph (Ellyn) Springfield; Daine (Ashley) , Blue Springs; Danae (Nathan) Coolidge Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada and Dessa (Kevin) Godla Springfield and 12 grandchildren: Winston, Laith, Elias, Hudson, Addelyn, Jack, Maisy, August Jo, Zimri, Thaddeus, Eloise, Jacob. Joe is survived by three brothers, Jerry Bean (Peggy), Douglas (Bonnie), James “Red” (Mary Lou); three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jo, Ramona, Betty and In-laws, Sister Mary Toney, Jim (Delores) Driscoll, Thelma (Paul) Montgomery.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, daughter, Anna and four brothers, Elbert Lee, Russell “Gene” (Paulene), Donald and Lawrence and his in-laws, Tommy and Annie Driscoll, whom he loved so much, and a host of family and friends that were awaiting his coming.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post Honor Guard or Homeland Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com.
Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, Gainesville.