Couple tries to bounce back after auto accident
Staff reporter
With thankful hearts and some new aches and pains, Jim and Bernice Beach are trying to get their lives back to normal.
The owners of HRK Warehouse, Marion, are taking it slower these days.
The couple was in a one-vehicle accident Nov. 21, that left them bruised and battered.
Jim was driving their Dodge pickup to their permanent home near El Dorado when he had a medical episode which caused him to blackout.
The vehicle left the roadway four miles north of El Dorado on U.S.-77 and careened until it came to a stop in a culvert.
"The cruise control was set on 65 mph," Bernice recalled. The air bags didn't deploy but the couple was wearing safety belts.
Piles of dirt from highway construction were left along the roadsides. The truck traveled over the piles before coming to a stop.
The truck was pulling an empty trailer that the Beaches used to haul merchandise.
"We lost the trailer when the pickup left the road," Bernice said.
They were able to walk away from the accident but they wanted to find out why Jim passed out.
Jim was hospitalized for a week. Tests were ran, a heart catheterization was performed with no signs of blockage. No firm answers were found.
Twenty-five years earlier, Jim had heart surgery. Doctors could not find any signs of heart problems they thought would cause the episode.
Jim wears a heart monitor that notifies doctors when his heart beats irregularly or if he should have another episode. He'll wear the monitor until May. In the meantime, Bernice is doing the driving.
The store remained open, even during the busy Christmas season.
"Thank God for Linda (Lovelady)," said Bernice. "Before the accident I mentioned to Linda I would sure like to have additional help through the Christmas season. She said she would be available and to just call."
Lovelady lives near the store and has been able to keep the doors open and business operating in the owners' absence.
The Beaches remain stiff and sore from the ordeal, particularly having back pain.
"We aren't bouncing back as quickly as we used to," said Jim.
HRK history
HRK, which is an abbreviation for Hilligoss, Riley & Kerbs, was purchased by the Beaches 22 years ago. The name was kept for convenience of its customers.
Parking was limited to the front of the building facing North Roosevelt, Bernice said. So in 1990, they purchased the former Wint's 66 service station, located south of the business.
Parking was established on the south side and the former service station is used as a warehouse for mattresses.
About 10 years ago, the Beaches then purchased the Mini-Mall building, southwest of HRK.
Several consignment businesses were located in the building for a number of years. The building now is empty and for sale.
In August 1999, the original building burned in a fire. The Beaches were able to rebuild and continue operating their business.
Wanting to remain active, the Beaches are trying to get back into the swing of things — including the operation of their business.
A mobile home is located near the store for the Beaches to stay weekends when they come to Marion to work.
After 22 years in Marion, they feel a part of the community and enjoy seeing their customers.
"This has been like our second home," Bernice said. "Our customers are like our extended family."
Ditto, Bernice.
