DUNGENESS — Lloyd and Catherine Beebe, founders of Olympic Game Farm, have died.
Lloyd, 94, died last Thursday morning, and Catherine, 88, died two days later, the game farm’s general manager and their grandson, Robert L. “Bob” Beebe, said today.
Both died of age-related causes.
A celebration of life reception for family and friends is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Sequim Elks Lodge No. 2642, 143 Port Williams Road.
Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.
The Beebes were married 71 years.
“It has always been thought that these two wonderful people would always be together and thankfully, they continue to do so,” said Bob Beebe in his statement.
“We take great relief that Lloyd and Catherine have met up with the many friends — both human and of the furry variety — that have gone before of them.”
Lloyd Beebe was a logger, huntsman, woodsman, Antarctica explorer, animal trainer, director, cinematographer and property rights advocate on many issues affecting Clallam County residents along the Dungeness River.
Catherine Beebe was the consummate businesswoman, socialite and homemaker who somehow made everything so seamless and effortless to all who knew her — a true force of nature, Bob Beebe said.
Lloyd was also instrumental in being an adviser to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and others in wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and animal housing facility design.
“Lloyd and Catherine Beebe had spent most of their savings from film making on new pens, fencing and training fields. The Beebes felt there was no better place than on the Olympic Peninsula — friendly people and a great climate that was never too hot or too cold,” Bob Beebe said. “It was always their intent — and continues to be — that the animals continue to receive the attention, respect and care long after their film work is completed.”
The Olympic Game Farm originally started as a filming location for Walt Disney in the early 1950s — formally called Disney’s Wild Animal Ranch.
The game farm was originally designed as a holding facility for the animal actors between movie shoots by Disney Studios. This “in-between” time was used to train the animals for future up-and-coming movies.
Disney Studios had asked Lloyd and Catherine Beebe to keep the public and cameras out of the farm.
In the summer of 1972, however, they allowed people in — to see what the farm could do on its own. After that summer, they let Disney Studios know what they did and how well they did, Bob Beebe said.
“Disney Studios was interested, held a vote from their board of directors, and decided it was OK to continue,” he said. “That same year, Lloyd and Catherine officially opened to the public as a business.”
The Beebe opened the game farm to the public in 1972, incorporated in 1973 and continued filming until the late 1990s.
“Our barn located on the premises is more than 150 years old and had been converted into a studio to film certain scenes, as well as the fields and hills as backdrops by Disney Studios. Many movies, television and commercials have been filmed utilizing our animals.
Most memorable movies are “The Vanishing Prairie” and “The Incredible Journey” (the first films on the farm), “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar,” “King of the Grizzlies,” “Never Cry Wolf” and many, many others in Disney films and Disney’s True Life Adventures documentaries, Bob Beebe said.
Television shows consisted of “Grizzly Adams,” “The Beachcombers,” and “Northern Exposure” and cameos in many other shows too numerous to name.
“On behalf of the Beebe family, we say thank you to the employees (past and present), our fans, tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, animal trainers, and close friends for all your wonderful dedication and support you have given Lloyd and Catherine,” Bob Beebe said.
Family Death and Memorial Notice: https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110113/obit/301139998/death-and-memorial-notice
