Rev. Tommy Kale Beaver, 83, of China Grove, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Born, September 17, 1942, in Cabarrus County, Tommy was the son of the late Lewis Alfred Beaver and Della Ruth Allman Beaver.

A graduate of Landis High School, Tommy continued his education at Appalachian State University graduating with a BS in 1964. Following his call to ministry, he attended the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC graduating in 1969. He was subsequently ordained by the North Carolina Synod and began what would be a long and devoted life of service to the Lutheran Church and the communities he was called to serve.

Throughout his ministry, Pastor Beaver served numerous congregations and helped establish two Lutheran mission churches. His calls included Bethel Lutheran Church, Lincolnton, NC; Christ the King Lutheran Church, Whiteville, NC; A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC; St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rockwell, NC; and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Troutman, NC.

Even after retiring from full-time ministry, Pastor Beaver continued answering the call to serve. He served as interim pastor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant, NC; Beck’s Lutheran Church, Lexington, NC; and Luther’s Lutheran Church, Richfield, NC. His 50 years in ministry reflected a deep commitment to his faith and to the people and congregations entrusted to his care.

Outside of the church, Tommy thoroughly enjoyed long-distance running. An accomplished marathon runner, he completed numerous marathons over the years, including the Charlotte Marathon, Grandfather Mountain Marathon, New York City Marathon, and the Boston Marathon. He was also proud to have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an accomplishment that reflected his lifelong commitment to service, perseverance, and helping others.

When Tommy was not in the pulpit preaching or visiting his parishioners, you could always find him somewhere outdoors, where he enjoyed working with his hands. Gardening, sawing and splitting wood, and working on tractors and cars were among his favorite pastimes. Yet, as much as he enjoyed all these things, nothing brought him greater joy than his family. He especially treasured supporting his grandchildren by attending their sporting events, school activities and other special occasions.

Pastor Beaver was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Rosalind Reinhardt Beaver; his only brother, Bennett Beaver; sisters, Phyllis Ritchie and Linda Cherry and step great-grandson, William Tripp Dunn.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Greg Beaver (DeDe) of China Grove; daughter, Jennifer Bost of Salisbury; grandsons, Matthew Beaver (Karley) of Salisbury; Andrew Beaver of China Grove; Thomas Bost of Salisbury; granddaughter, Elise Bost of Salisbury; step-grandchildren, Rachel Dunn (Rachael) of Garner, NC; Tate Dunn (Maddie) of Norman, OK; Cameron Dunn (Olivia) of China Grove, NC; Jillian Dunn of China Grove, NC; and a step great-grandson, Brooks Dunn. And a plethora of extended family, former parishioners, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his 50 years of ministry.

Pastor Beaver leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, perseverance, and devotion to family. Throughout his life, he served others through his ministry, his many friendships, and the quiet example of a life well lived. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered by his family, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. During the last several months of his life, he was lovingly cared for by his family, and supported by hospice, whose compassionate care brought comfort, dignity, and peace throughout his final days on earth.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 12 on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Parlor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Landis, NC. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 12:30 pm in the sanctuary, officiated by Pastor Jarrod Lanning and Pastor Candice Carter. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Lutheran Church Cemetery in China Grove, NC.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 West Rice Street, Landis, NC 28088 or Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 4914 Old Beatty Ford Road, China Grove, NC 28023.