Otto Bean, Jr.

State Representative

1938-2006

State Representative Otto Bean, Jr., a long time agricultural leader, farmer, and agri-businessman died Sunday, July 16 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN. Representing the 163^rd district, the two term Representative was a key player in both Southeast Missouri politics and the U.S. cotton industry.

Bean, age 68, died peacefully in his sleep following a two year battle with Leukemia. He died at 10:00 PM with his family at his side. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, July 22 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kennett Mo.

The youngest child of Otto and Alice Bean, Otto Bean, Jr. was born and raised on his family’s farm near Gideon, MO. He attended Gideon Elementary and High School, before pursuing his interest in military service at the Western Military Academy.

During high school, Bean distinguished himself on the basketball court, earning statewide recognition and scholarship offers, but opted to work his way through the University of Missouri, majoring in Ag Business with an emphasis on Farm Management. In 1960, he married his college sweetheart, Janet Stillman.

Bean served on active duty in the Army National Guard during 1962 - 1963 and attended Officer Candidate School in 1964. He was Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served until 1970, when he was transferred to the Army Reserve.

During this same time, he launched his own farming operation and his family.

Over the next four decades, Bean built a reputation as an innovative farmer, a successful agribusinessman, and a leader in the community. He filled leadership roles in a number of statewide and national organizations, including Missouri Farm Bureau, University of Missouri, Cotton Board, Cotton Incorporated, National Cotton Council, Cotton Producers of Missouri, and the Agricultural Council of Arkansas. In 2002, he was named to the USDA Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee as an advisor on international agriculture, commodity, and trade policies.

Otto Bean, Jr. made history in 2002 when he was elected the first Republican to represent the 163^rd district in the Missouri House of Representatives in recorded history. He quickly developed a reputation as a coalition builder, and worked closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. These efforts also played well at home, and Bean was elected to a second term in 2004.

Although loyal to his party’s core values, Bean often parted ways with party leadership over issues he felt key to his district. He was one of few Republicans to vote against proposed cuts in Medicaid and to co-sponsor legislation to provide funding for family planning. He was one of very few in the legislature to take the side of rice farmers, millers, and buyers during the Ventria rice debacle. Bean also surprised many of his colleagues by championing the arts in Missouri, and he was recognized several times by the Missouri Citizens of the Arts and the Missouri Art Education Association.

Ultimately, though, Bean’s crowning achievements in the Missouri legislature revolved around constituent services and local issues. Both as a member of the Bootheel Caucus (aka the Bootheel Mafia) and as an individual legislator, he pushed hard for local projects like the Kennett Hope Center, local business development, and safety lights for schools.

Bean is survived by his wife, a sister, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren

The family requests memorial donations be made to:

Wings Cancer Foundation

100 North Humphreys Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
Phone: 901.322.2984
Fax: 901.685.2969

http://www.wingscancerfoundation.org/

University of Missouri Delta Research Center

P. O. Box 160
Portageville, MO 63873
Phone: 573-379-5431
Fax: 573-379-5875

http://aes.missouri.edu/delta/index.stm

Otto Bean, Jr.

Missouri House of Representatives

201 West Capitol Avenue, Room 409-A

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

(573) 751-8591

Fax: (573) 522-6171

otto.bean@house.mo.gov

Official House Site

Webmaster: info@beanformissouri.org