Carol Beggs was many things to many people. He was a friend, a husband, a father, a soldier, and a lawmaker. In all of these, and throughout all his life, Carol lived to serve others. As a young man in the Navy during World War II, then as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, Carol served his country. As a commissioner, then mayor, in Salina, Kansas, he served his city. And finally, in his ten years in the Kansas House, Carol served his state.

However, Carol Beggs was so much more than his titles. He was a man of thoughtfulness and action. He knew what he believed in, and he stood by his convictions. Though he faced tough decisions and took hard stances, Carol never lost his sense of humor. Even when disagreeing with fellow lawmakers, he knew how to lighten difficult moments and bring smiles to colleagues’ faces.

His quick wit kept people smiling and laughing, and so did his harmonica. In the halls of statehouse, staff and members alike fondly recall Carol’s rendition of “Danny Boy” floating through the halls.

There’s nothing quite like “Danny Boy” being played on a harmonica, and Carol doing the playing made it even more special. I’m sure all who knew him think of him when they hear that song, more so now that he has passed.

Carol Beggs passed away Wednesday night, January 19, after a long battle with pneumonia. He was 77 years old. His wife, Betty, says he went peacefully, in his sleep.

Carol and Betty had been married for 54 years and had two sons, Dan and David. Up until it closed in 2000, the whole family helped run Beggs Yamaha Cycleland, a motorcycle shop Carol opened in 1949.