Jim Beddow, the 1994 Democratic candidate for South Dakota governor, died June 25, according to his obituary. He was 81 years old.
Beddow is survived by his wife Jean, two children, and four grandchildren. The obituary said he was a dedicated family man whose grandchildren called him “Gpa”.
Those who knew him say his legacy is felt across South Dakota.
“He was just very active throughout his community throughout the state,” said Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, Chair of South Dakota’s Democratic Party, “And of course, that lead him to his desire to run for that higher office, to run for governor, and we were so proud to have him as our candidate back in the 90s.”
Beddow’s 1994 running mate was Jim Abbott. Abbott later became the president of the University of South Dakota, same university is where Beddow first experienced higher education. However, he is now most widely recognized in association with Dakota Wesleyan University.
Beddow served as the president of DWU for 13 years. The university’s current president, Dan Kittle, said initiatives put in place during Beddow’s administration remain key parts of the school’s structure, including the wellness facility.
“You could run into him on the sidewalk and have a conversation,” said Julie Brookbank, Beddow’s former student, “It didn’t matter what your status was, whether you were a student, a custodian, a dean. He was so accessible. He had an open-door office. He had a open door office that you could actually go in and ask to speak to the president.”
Family and friends are growing support for the newly created Jim Beddow & Cooper Johnson O’Gorman tennis scholarship.
