07/19/2026
Harold Beasley and the Legacy of the Beasley Poker Run on Lewis Smith Lake
Harold Beasley is considered one of the pioneers of modern recreational boating on Lewis Smith Lake. Through his vision, business leadership, and commitment to the lake community, he helped transform Smith Lake from a relatively quiet reservoir into one of Alabama's premier boating destinations.
Harold Beasley: Building a Smith Lake Landmark
Harold Beasley retired from Hayes International in Birmingham in 1986 after a successful engineering and manufacturing career. Looking for a new challenge, he and his son, Mike Beasley, purchased Duskin Point Marina on Lewis Smith Lake.
At the time, the marina was a modest operation. Harold and Mike invested heavily in improvements, adding:
• Modern covered boat slips
• Dry boat storage
• Marine service facilities
• Fuel docks
• Boat sales
• Waterfront dining
• Expanded recreational amenities
Over the next fifteen years, Duskin Point Marina became one of the most recognizable destinations on Smith Lake. Harold believed the marina should be more than a place to buy fuel—it should be a place where families gathered, and lifelong friendships are formed.
His philosophy centered on three principles:
• Treat every customer like family.
• Promote safe boating.
• Give back to the Smith Lake community.
These principles became the foundation of the marina's reputation. Harold also became known for mentoring young employees, supporting lake organizations, and encouraging boating safety throughout Walker and Cullman Counties. His contributions were recognized by industry partners and the boating community alike.
Mike Beasley: Continuing the Vision
Mike Beasley shared his father's passion for boating and customer service. He became the face of Duskin Point Marina for many visitors and helped expand the marina into one of the busiest on Lewis Smith Lake.
Mike was widely known for his outgoing personality, willingness to help anyone on the water, and love for Smith Lake. Whether assisting stranded boaters or organizing community events, he earned the respect of residents throughout the region.
Tragically, Mike lost his life in a boating accident in 2001. His death deeply affected the Smith Lake community and left an enormous void for family, friends, and fellow boaters.
The Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run
Rather than allowing Mike's legacy to end with tragedy, Harold Beasley chose to celebrate the life Mike loved—being on Smith Lake surrounded by friends and fellow boaters.
The Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run was created shortly after Mike's passing.
The event combined recreational boating with charitable giving. Participants would:
• Register at Duskin Point Marina.
• Travel by boat to multiple checkpoints around Lewis Smith Lake.
• Draw a playing card at each stop.
• Return with the best five-card poker hand for prizes.
Unlike a speed race, the Poker Run emphasized fellowship, lake exploration, and responsible boating.
Each year, the event attracted hundreds of boats and well over a thousand participants, making it one of Alabama's largest boating charity events.
Community Impact
Over its many years, the Poker Run generated significant support for organizations serving Smith Lake and surrounding communities, including:
• Smith Lake Search & Rescue
• Volunteer fire departments
• Boating safety programs
• Local children's charities
• Emergency response organizations
Just as importantly, it strengthened relationships across the lake community. Marina owners, businesses, volunteers, sponsors, and families worked together each year to host the event.
Many participants returned annually, making the Poker Run a summer tradition and a reunion of friends.
A Legacy Strengthened by Tragedy
Harold Beasley’s connection to water-related tragedy did not end with the loss of Mike Beasley in 2001.
On July 10, 2024, Phillip Beasley’s son and Harold Beasley's great-grandson, Braxton Alan Beasley, tragically drowned on Lewis Smith Lake at just 19 years old. Braxton, a graduate of Oneonta High School, was known for his kindness, strong work ethic, athletic accomplishments, and his love for Smith Lake, where he worked for HydroHoist of Alabama. His passing was another heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change on the water.
For Harold and Phillip, Braxton's death reinforced the same reality that inspired the original Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run more than two decades earlier: while Smith Lake is a place of beauty, recreation, and lifelong memories, it also demands respect, preparedness, and a commitment to water safety.
Harold Beasley's Leadership
Harold remained actively involved in organizing the Poker Run for years. His leadership style was quiet but highly respected.
Those who worked with him often describe him as:
• Honest
• Humble
• Community-minded
• Safety focused
• Passionate about Smith Lake
His ability to bring together volunteers, businesses, sponsors, and boaters was instrumental in the event's long-term success.
The End of an Era
After years of tremendous success, the Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run concluded in 2016. Many believed one of Smith Lake's most beloved traditions had come to an end.
For longtime participants, however, the event represented much more than a fundraiser. It was a reunion of friends, a celebration of lake life, and a reminder of the generosity that had always defined the Beasley family.
The lake community hoped someone would continue the tradition.
Alabama Lakewide Charities Steps Forward
That opportunity came when Alabama Lakewide Charities (ALC)—a Smith Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by David Dempsey, Brian Czup, Jason West, and adding Phillip Beasley to the board in 2024, they accepted the challenge of carrying the tradition forward. ALC was created with a mission to provide advanced search-and-recovery equipment, training, and support for first responders on Lewis Smith Lake while also assisting other local nonprofits.
With the blessing and support of Harold Beasley, ALC launched the Poor Man Poker Run in 2018. The goal was not to replace the Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run but to preserve its spirit while directing proceeds toward a growing need: equipping emergency responders with modern search-and-recovery technology.
Preserving the Tradition
Although the name changed, many of the traditions remained the same:
• Families spending the day boating together.
• Local businesses sponsoring checkpoints.
• Volunteer docks welcoming participants.
• An after-party featuring live music, food, auctions, and prizes.
• A focus on fun, fellowship, and giving back.
The event also expanded through online registration, interactive maps, and a larger network of community partners, helping it become one of Smith Lake's most anticipated summer events.
A New Mission
While the original Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run benefited a variety of local charities and lake organizations, Alabama Lakewide Charities aligned the event with a specific mission: ensuring Smith Lake has the best possible resources for drowning search-and-recovery operations.
Funds raised have helped support:
• Advanced underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of operating in deep water.
• Specialized sonar and underwater search technology.
• Dedicated support vessels for search-and-recovery missions.
• Training and readiness for emergency responders.
• Assistance to local fire departments and rescue agencies.
• Support for additional community programs, including Wake the World Smith Lake, Cast for Kids, and other nonprofit initiatives.
More Than a Fundraiser
Today, the Poor Man Poker Run is Alabama Lakewide Charities' signature annual fundraiser and one of three cornerstone events, alongside Boatin' and Boilin' and Spook the Lake. Each event reflects the organization's philosophy that community gatherings can both celebrate life on the lake and provide critical support for public safety.
Every registration, sponsorship, auction item, and volunteer hour contributes to a mission that no family hopes to need but many are grateful exists: bringing closure through professional search-and-recovery capabilities.
A Lasting Legacy
The connection between the Mike Beasley Memorial Poker Run and Alabama Lakewide Charities is one of continuity rather than replacement.
Harold Beasley created a tradition centered on friendship, boating, and generosity. Alabama Lakewide Charities has preserved that tradition while expanding its impact to meet today's needs.
What began as a memorial to one man has evolved into a lasting legacy that serves the entire Smith Lake community. Every boat that participates, every volunteer dock that welcomes visitors, and every dollar raised honors Harold Beasley while helping ensure that families facing tragedy on Lewis Smith Lake have access to the best search-and-recovery resources available.
In that way, the spirit of Harold Beasley continues to live on as a mission of service, compassion, and community that benefits Smith Lake for generations to come.
