Jack T Beverstein

Mr. Jack T Beverstein passed away on January 30, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. He was affable, loving, accomplished, insightful, generous, and a safe harbor for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Georgia Chiefs of Police and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason for over 50 years. Jack was surrounded by family and passed peacefully.

Born on February 12, 1925, in South Bend, Indiana, he lived a long, full, and exciting life. He entered the US Navy when he was 18, and served in The Philippines during World War II, maintaining bombs for airplanes. He had a positive feeling toward the Filipinos and even corresponded with a few after his discharge. While he was on guard duty at the camp entrance, a Filipino would stand watch with him. One Filipino made a special effort to walk a long distance to and from town to bring bananas to him. That left a lasting impression on Jack. He remembered the man each time he ate bananas.

After the war, he returned to the Studebaker Corporation to earn enough money to go back to school. He utilized the G.I. Bill to transition to civilian life. He attended Indiana University and received a business degree. He became interested in law and attended law school, completing seven years of college in less than five years. He took the bar and was admitted to practice in the state of Indiana.

Jack went to work for the FBI in Georgia after graduating from law school in 1952. He served as a Special Agent and did a bit of everything. He apprehended fugitives, investigated cases, and maintained a watch on the KKK during the Civil Rights Movement. The FBI infiltrated the KKK and established informants within. Problems were proactively curtailed by what they achieved through the people who were embedded in the Klan. Jack performed investigative work on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. He covered the funeral march for Dr. King as well as the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama march. He also covered the Liuzzo murder by the Klan and testified in the case. One of the things he was most proud of was playing a role in keeping the Mafia out of Atlanta.

In 1976, he retired from the FBI and moved to Valdosta, Georgia to serve as Director of Public Safety at Valdosta State University. After his retirement from VSU, Jack and his wife, Patricia, traveled the country in an RV. He especially enjoyed going to all the home and away UGA football games with the other Dawg fans in the RV Club. Jack was an avid card player, especially Pinochle and Bridge. He loved spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his countless gifts was always putting a smile on people’s faces.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Beatrice Beverstein; his two sisters, Betty Rowley and Phyllis Clifford; his cherished wives, Charlotte (née Whiting), Annie (née Elam, the mother of his children), and Patricia (née Small); and many dogs that loved him over the years, such as Buck and Tobey. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Irene and Bob Berens; Ryan, Carmen, Claire, and Mason Berens; Lauren, Todd, Hudson, and Jaxson Hughes; John and Marianne Beverstein; Jessica and Sadat Karim; Kimberly, Andrew, Elliot, and Carter Goldstein. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their children. He will be sorely missed by many. His family is incredibly grateful for the many years they had with Jack.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 6, 2023, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at the McLane Riverview Mausoleum. The viewing will be held from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The Former Agents of the FBI Foundation Scholarship Fund (https://socxfbi.org/SFSA/Donate/GeneralScholarship.aspx) or any organization of your choosing.

Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.