Elridge Leo Beard, 78, of Bridge City, died Sunday, August 31, 2008, at his residence.

Memorial service will be 6:30 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2008, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City. Reverend Steven Leger of St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City will officiate.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Elridge was born June 19, 1930, in Rayne, LA to Lucion and Eda Boullion Beard. Elridge served in the U. S. Army and retired from Kansas City Southern where he worked as a Railroad Switchman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Lucion and Eda Beard, brother, Nolan J. Beard; and stepson Richard Cooper.

He is survived by his wife Martha Beard; sons and their wives, David Wayne and Franka Beard, Brian Keith and Rene Beard both of Bridge City; sisters, Verna Comeaux, Grace Schroeder, Syble Martin, Marty Jeanes and Louella Foulch; brothers, Eugene Beard, Steve Beard and Lee Beard; stepson, James

Edward and Robyn Cooper of Macon, GA and stepdaughter Virginia Ann Myers of Kathleen, GA; eighteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren.