Gerald S. Beilstein

Chaplain Col. Gerald S. Beilstein, 79, of Prescott, AZ,  passed away into his Shepherd's arms for eternity Thursday, June 11, 2020. He passed peacefully with a smile on his face at his home with family present and hymns playing in the background.   Gerald Samuel Beilstein was born November 26, 1940, in Butler, PA to Carl and Lois (McKay) Beilstein. Gerald grew up in Butler and graduated from Butler High School in 1958. After he attended the University of Maryland in the Military Extension Centers and Cabrillo Junior College, he attended Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz, CA. When he was about 18 and on Guard duty, he had a vision of Jesus and surrendered his life to Him. In June 26, 1966, after graduation, Gerald married Virginia Ner. They were married for 53 years and had two daughters.   Gerald received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethany Bible College and went on to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, where he received a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) Cum Laude. He further pursued post-graduate education by receiving a ThM (Masters of Theology) degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Gerald became the first Assemblies of God-ordained chaplain ministering within the Veterans Administration Hospital in 1969 and retired on June 2, 2000, after 31 years of dedicated service.  Gerald served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves where he retired as Colonel.  He received multiple commendations for his outstanding professional skill, leadership, ceaseless efforts for Base Chapel programs. He served in the 97th Combat Support Group, 97th Bombardment Wing, from June 18, 1980, to January 21, 1987. In 1994, he received a Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service as Staff Chaplain in the 305th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during the unit's activation for Operation DESERT STORM. He was responsible for developing a program that ensured the families of deployed unit members were kept informed of the squadron's activities. He wrote a comprehensive guide on the stresses associated with long term overseas deployments that are still used for unit deployments. In 1999, he received another meritorious service award for his unfailing compassion, and for providing "crisis intervention" to a unit member while deployed for Operation PATRIOT CABALLITO and saved his life. He provided comfort and counsel to the families of unit members seriously injured and hospitalized after a helicopter crash. He displayed ceaseless dedication to the United States Air Force Reserve and to its people. He received many other awards for his service and work that are too many to list here.  In his retirement, Gerald continued in ministry as a chaplain in various hospices around Prescott and Prescott Valley.    Yet his greatest work and ministry lives on in his family. Gerald volunteered his time over the years helping his daughters in their ministry and business endeavors. He assisted his daughter Debbie and son-in-law Brian Fulthorp in pastoral care and outreach during their time pastoring in the Grand Canyon National Park. He loved the Grand Canyon and saw the opportunities there as limitless.   He assisted his daughter Cindy in her business endeavors as an assistant freelance photographer creating "Flip albums" and providing support when she coordinated wedding walks in Prescott and Phoenix.   He was a man ahead of his time, and was known for saying, "I have an idea!" He always encouraged his daughters and family to pursue their God-given vision and dreams, though it seemed like all odds came against them. Gerald was a lifelong learner, constantly working on adding ministry tools into his toolbox for God's next assignment for his life. Gerald enjoyed reading, working on his computer, learning how to use create content for websites on the internet. He read the Bible from cover to cover several times within a year. He especially indulged in and enjoyed eating ice cream and pie for breakfast when he had opportunities to do so. He enjoyed spending time with his wife watching old comedy acts and Gaither videos. He loved to spend time talking with his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. He was a friend and encourager to all he met and found much joy in serving others. Even in his final weeks, he was thinking of others to make sure his loved ones would be fine and well taken care of. He truly loved his family and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.He assisted his daughter Debbie and son-in-law Brian Fulthorp in pastoral care and outreach during their time pastoring in the Grand Canyon National Park. He loved the Grand Canyon and saw the opportunities there as limitless.  He encouraged his daughter Cindy and son-in-law Lee Reeves in their professional photography business and in all their entrepreneurial endeavors.  His life and service in the military inspired his granddaughter, Bethany Reeves, to join the Army ROTC at Evangel University.     Survivors include his wife, Virginia Beilstein of Prescott, Arizona, and their daughters: Cindy Reeves and her husband, Lee of Goodyear, Arizona; Debbie Fulthorp and her husband, Brian of Avondale, Arizona; grandchildren: Bethany Reeves, Mercy Fulthorp, Samuel Fulthorp, Benjamin Fulthorp; a brother, Jim Beilstein and wife, Jackie of Oregon; a brother-in-law, Bill Oesterling of Cottonwood, Arizona; and many nieces, and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Lois Beilstein, brother Jack Beilstein and beloved sister Mary Jane Oesterling. Memorial Services and a funeral is pending but he will be laid to rest with full honors at the National  Military Cemetery. Online condolences may be directed to https://www.ruffnerwakelin.com. His family also requests personal stories, memories, and letters be written and sent to or emailed to: thefulthorps@gmail.com.