OBITUARY: Fred Beard, age 84, died Monday, May 10, 2010 in Clayton, New Mexico.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 15, at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton with Rev. Jay Jones, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in the Mills Cemetery in Mills, New Mexico by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.
Fred Martin Beard was born on March 17, 1926 in Roy, New Mexico to John “Jack” and Lola Beard. The eldest of three boys, Fred attended school in Roy, New Mexico. He joined the military and served in the United States Air Force. After being discharged, Fred graduated high school and attended college on the G.I. bill and played football for New Mexico State University and Eastern New Mexico University. He held the degrees of Bachelors, Masters and Education Specialist all from Eastern New Mexico University. Fred and Grace Beard were married on May 22, 1946 and they enjoyed almost 64 years of marriage. Fred taught scores of students through 39 years of teaching in New Mexico and Colorado, as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent before retiring and moving to Clayton. Fred was active in church and community until his passing. Fred loved people and he loved to garden, hunt and fish. In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by 2 sons, Melvin Beard in June of 1978 and Weldon Beard in April of 1999, by 1 brother, Lawrence Beard in February of 1987 and by a great-granddaughter, Bella Pearl Beard.
SURVIVORS:
WIFE: Grace Beard of Clayton, New Mexico.
3 SONS: John Beard and his wife Leola of Roy, New Mexico, Floyd Beard and his wife Valerie of Punkin Center, Colorado and Donald Beard and his wife Ilene of Pritchett, Colorado.
2 DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW: Joyce Garman and her husband Lee of Cedar Edge, Colorado and Felecia Harvey and her husband Leon of Roswell, New Mexico.
1 BROTHER: Eldon Beard and his wife Ann of Grand Junction, Colorado.
1 BROTHER-IN-LAW: Gene Case of Mills, New Mexico.
3 SISTERS-IN-LAW: Ruby Wells and her husband Bruce of Fruita, Colorado, Elaine Case of Kent, Washington and Ruth Case of Nucla, Colorado.
12 GRANDCHILDREN: Ray Beard and his wife Lisa of Berthoud, Colorado, Mark Beard and his wife Megan of Grand Junction, Colorado, Melvin Beard and his wife Shandra of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Connie Mautz and her husband Larry of Hotchkiss, Colorado, Michael Beard of Granby, Colorado, Laneha Everett and her husband Casey of Pritchett, Colorado, Justin Beard and his wife Tamra of Aguilar, Colorado, Clint Freeburg of Berthoud, Colorado, Jerilyn Reis and her husband Nathan of Pueblo, Colorado, Mary Grace Beard of Berthoud, Colorado, Jessica Beard of Lubbock, Texas and Matthew Beard of Portales, New Mexico.
and 10 great-grandchildren
MEMORIALS: The family asks that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church for the Fred M. Beard Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Drawer M, Clayton, New Mexico 88415.
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