Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 26, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Alfred James (“Jim”) Beyer, Jr., M.D., 82, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Jim was one of four children born to Alfred James Beyer, Sr. and Jesse Huddleston Beyer of Lakewood, Ohio. After graduating from high school in Lakewood, he attended Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.  Jim graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1963.  He went on to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland where he earned his medical degree in 1967.  After medical school, Jim completed residency training in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to become a general surgeon.

Jim met his wife, Catherine Herlihy Beyer, during their first year of medical school at Case Western.   Catherine was one of only three women admitted to the medical school class.  She went on to a successful career as a developmental pediatrician.  Jim and Catherine were happily married for fifty-six years.  Together, they had two sons, Alfred James (“Jay”) Beyer, III and John Huddleston Beyer. 

Jim had a long, successful career in medicine.  Upon completion of his surgical training, he served his country as a physician in the United States Army at Fort Bragg.  After Jim completed his military service, he and Catherine moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts with their two young sons.   From 1975 to 1982, Jim practiced general surgery in Salem, Massachusetts while Catherine practiced pediatrics in Boston.  They returned to Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1982 where Jim started a general surgery practice and Catherine continued to practice pediatrics.   He was a member of the medical staff at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and served as the Chief of Surgery during his career.  He retired from full-time medical practice in 2000.

Jim was a devoted family man who encouraged and supported his wife during her career and actively participated in raising their two sons.  While in Massachusetts, Jim and Catherine enjoyed living by the ocean, sailing, and spending time with their boys.  After retirement, they spent many happy years together enjoying the beautiful North Carolina coast and spending time with dear friends.  In 2018, Jim and Catherine moved from the Wilmington area to Charlotte and lived at The Cypress to be close to their son John, his family, Catherine’s sister, Trish Doyle, and her family.  At The Cypress, they were blessed to develop new friendships and receive excellent care and support.  Later in life, Catherine was a tireless and devoted caregiver to Jim.

Jim was a true Renaissance man.  He had countless interests and hobbies and was a lifelong student who never stopped learning.  He mastered photography, collected World War II memorabilia, sailed competitively, enjoyed bird watching and classical music, and learned to play the saxophone as an adult.  His study interests included ancient history, global politics, quantum physics, and learning to speak Mandarin Chinese.  He maintained an impressive library and typically could be found contently reading a thick, academic textbook or treatise.  Personally, Jim will be remembered for his warm smile and wonderful sense of humor.  He especially cherished spending time and laughing with his grandchildren at the beach or over a good family meal.

Jim is survived by his son, John Beyer and his wife, Laura Turner Beyer of Charlotte; his daughter-in-law, Kristin Blevins Beyer of Denver, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Logan Nicole Beyer, Jackson Blevins Beyer, Mary John Beyer, and Thomas Huddleston Beyer.  Also surviving are his brother, Bill Beyer, and his wife, Ann Beyer of Lakewood, Ohio; his sister, Carol Taylor, and her husband, Rick Taylor of Mansfield, Ohio; his brother, Bob Beyer of Mansfield and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.  Jim was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Catherine, and his son, Jay.  

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in the Activity Center at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210.  A funeral mass will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, September 8, 2023, in the sanctuary at St. Vincent de Paul.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Jim to Memory and Movement Charlotte, 411 Billingsley Road, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28211. Memory and Movement Charlotte is a not-for-profit medical practice offering care to patients with memory and movement disorders and their families. The staff at Memory and Movement Charlotte took excellent care of Jim and provided great support to his family for several years.         

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.