James Beard

BEARD

James Monroe Beard, age 82, of Dublin, OH, died Sunday, Oct. 30 of complications from Alzheimer’s. All who met him would attest he was a character in the truest sense of the word and the long list of friends Jim amassed will surely miss his wit and humor. Born Dec. 3, 1928 in Ross, Texas, sports played an integral part in Jim’s life. A graduate of Waco High School, he played on the school’s Texas State Championship football team. A Golden Glove boxing champion in his teens, Jim attended Baylor University and played varsity baseball at Texas A&M. Following service in the United States Army, Jim joined the E.C. Frazier Company becoming a sales representative to the sporting goods industry. He moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1960. A skilled golfer, Jim was the 8th member to join Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. In 1981 he founded the Beard Company and continued to work in sporting goods, an industry he dearly loved. Preceded in death by mother Irna, father Heber and brother, Mike. James is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carolyn; daughter Nikki (Kurt) Leib of Dublin, OH; son Craig (Debora) Beard of Portland, OR; special nephews Horace Beard, Marc Lucas and numerous other nieces and nephews, as well as grandchildren Alexis, Samuel James and Audrey Leib, James Parker and Lila Beard. He is also survived by brothers Bramlet of Kingsport, TN, Pat and Frank (Georgia) Beard of Waco, TX. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at Liberty Presbyterian Church, 7080 Olentangy River Road, Delaware. A memorial service will also be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 at the First Baptist Church of Waco, 500 Webster Ave., Waco, Texas with burial beside his parents at White Rock Cemetery in Ross, Texas. Contributions in Jim’s memory can be made to the Jeffrey Kraker Caddie Scholarship Fund c/o Muirfield Village Golf Club, 5750 Memorial Drive Dublin, OH 43017, or donor’s favorite charity.
condolences at www.morelandfuneralhome.com.