Mervyn Beynon

Mervyn Richard Beynon was born on March 1, 1924 to David and Hazel (Torney) Beynon at South Sioux City Nebraska. He spent his elementary school years in the Sioux City Iowa. System, attending country school in rural Missouri Valley Iowa. He attended high school there and in Riceville Iowa. In May 1943 Mervyn was posted to the U.S. Army Air Corps with Basic Training at Amarillo Texas. He was trained as an aircraft mechanic on P-47s, P-40s & P-51 Fighter Aircraft during WWII. He was demobilized at Camp Attaberry, In. Jan 1946. After demobilization he joined his mother and Father in Fargo, ND. He entered NDAC (NDSU) the fall of 1946 graduating in July 1950 with a BS in Social Studies and a teaching certificate. While a student, he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG) “The Happy Hooligans” during February of 1947. He accepted employment as Training Technician. He was called to the Korean Conflict on April 1,1951 with the NDANG for 21 months, with Duty in Georgia and California. During his military career, he achieved the rank Chief Master Sergeant and was the Military Personnel & Training Superintendent, a position he held until his retirement. After over four decades of service in the Army and Air National Guard, Mervyn Beynon retired as a full-time air technician, and from the NDANG, in March of 1984. He married Corrine Beynon (Schmidt) in June of 1963. They resided and raised a family in north Fargo. Later in life they wintered in Mesa, AZ. Family activities were centered around the lake cottage on Big Cormorant Lake. He enjoyed boating, fishing, and hunting with his son and friends. Hobbies included renovation of older automobiles, welding and shopwork in a backyard garage and shop combination. Mervyn & Corrinne enjoyed travel, including several trips to the UK & Mervyn’s Welsh relatives, to Norway & Corrinne’s relatives. Through out the years he has been active in several organizations : past member Fargo Elks; past member BSA: NDESGR; Member AFA; Fargo Legion; Masonic: Daylight lodge 135, York Rite: Past Recorder of El Zagal Shrine, Director’s Staff; member Fargo Air Museum. Mervyn is survived be his wife Corrinne (Schmidt), Beynon, of 46 years, Son, Thomas, Tiffany (Skauge), two grandchildren, Taylor & Tatum, and Sister in-law, Pearl Parsons (Schmidt). He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Hazel, and one sister, Gwendolyn. The family would like to thank the Hospice of the Red River Valley for all the care and kindness provided to Mervyn and them during his illness. Funeral: Friday, July 31, 2009, 11:00 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Thursday, July 30, 2009 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, followed by a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Also one hour prior to services at the church. Burial: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.