Gerald “Jerry” T. Bean, 94, of Springfield, VA, passed away May 18, 2025 at his daughter’s home in Front Royal, VA.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 at Maddox Funeral Home with Pastor Eric Reploeg officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in National Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Gerald was born and raised in Marion, IL. He was the son of Thomas and Vida Bean and younger brother of Patricia. He said he got the nickname “Jerry” from a comic strip called Jerry on the Job.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Southern Illinois University and was drafted in to the Army near the end of the Korean War. He was discharged two years later. A highlight of his Army time was winning a choral competition, in which his group sang a cappella selections, on Arlene Francis’ TV program “The Soldier Parade”. After this, he was hired as a civilian in Research and Development for the Army, where he spent 30 years of his career.
He met Mary Lou at Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church in D.C. on an outing to the beach and pursued her to Georgia, where she had taken a job. In 1957 they married, and after a few years in an apartment on Duke St., set up house in Springfield, VA where they raised their children and remained for their 64 years of marriage.
Jerry had many interests and was an avid reader of a wide variety of non-fiction. He earned his private pilot’s license, enjoyed shooting sports, photography, following the stock market and religiously read the comic strips, which he often clipped to share with others. He enjoyed music, particularly guitar, and built a dulcimer once. He was a lover of puns, and liked to share a good joke, a story, or information about whatever book, or two or three, he was reading at the time. His love of wildlife kept him feeding the squirrels and birds in the backyard, even nursing an abandoned baby squirrel one year. In later years, tai chi, making biscuits and walking five miles each morning were all part of his routine.
Jerry retired from work in 1985. He and Mary Lou were generous with their time, their talents and their money, in their service at Mt. Vernon Place and in their community. In their 80’s they were still making sure that other people were arriving at church or making it to appointments.
After Mary Lou’s death in 2021, he moved to Front Royal to be near his children and grandson. Although it was a big adjustment, he made the transition admirably and was able to spend his last few years living with family.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Vida Ester (Cocke) Bean; sibling, Patricia (Bean) Collins; and wife; Mary Lou (Boggs) Bean
He is survived by his son, Eric Bean; daughter, Janet Jewell (Tony); grandson, Raymond T. Jewell; and nephew, Peter Collins.
Mr. Bean added so much to my childhood . Never to be forgotten 💕
May his memory be forever blessed. Fine memories of him and Mary Lou from Mount Vernon Place UMC. With love and prayers,
The Kiss Family
Such a wonderful man who with MaryLou created such a lovely family. Jerry will be dearly remembered. My prayers for his family. And, love.
Jerry and Mary Lou helped make MVP not just a church building but my church family. I loved singing loudly and off key sitting behind them and then chatting with them after service. They are saints to us always.
I attended MVP with Jerry and Mary Lou from 2013-2019. They were such a wonderful presence and I looked forward to seeing them each Sunday. May their memories be a blessing.
Eric and Janet, while I worked at Mount Vernon Place UMCfor 7 years, I got to know your Dad through your extraordinary Mother, Mary Lou. He was a faithful, loving companion to her for such a long time. I was privileged to see them both at the home in Springfield shortly before Mary Lou passed away, and he was right there by her side as usual. My sincere prayers are being lifted for your family at this time.
As with Mrs Bean, I will miss Mr Bean. In the afternoon, it was always fun to go to my “sister’s” childhood home and see Mr Bean sharing nuts and knowledge about the world he lived within. Mrs Bean and Mr Bean made life wonderful to many….
Eric & Janet, I am so sorry to learn of the earthly loss of your beloved father. I used to call your folks to chat and pray, knowing them from MVUMC/CCC. This morning, memorial weekend, I find out online I’m too late to chat, but know your folks are not forgotten. They are additional angels. Thanks for your care over the years. Keep the fond memories. Carry on ‘til we meet again. Bless your extended family in God’s love. Condolences and air hugs to all.
Jerry and Mary Lou were among the first people I met back in 2007 at Mount Vernon Place UMC. Such lovely people and important part of the community that kept me coming back all these years later. They blessed many. Peace to all who grieve their passing and celebrate their amazing lives!