Louis Henry Beard
12/03/1920 to 02/22/2018
Louis Beard was born December 3rd, 1920 in Rosedale, Texas to Robert Smith Beard and Annie Mary Beard. He was a resident of Beaumont for 97 years. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family singing his favorite hymns.
A service of worship honoring his life will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Calder Baptist Church. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be from 10-11:00 am prior to the service in the family center of the church.
He will be remembered as a family-loving Dad and Grandfather, gentle and kind, with Christ- like humility and generosity. He was a positive role model for family and friends, a moral conscience in business, and beloved by many.
Louis was active in church and civic affairs. He was a long-time member of Calder Baptist Church having taught Sunday School, served as Deacon, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In 2016 he received recognition as Deacon Emeritus from his pastor and congregation.
He was valedictorian of French High School graduation class of 1938. He attended Lamar Junior College and obtained his law degree from the University Of Texas School Of Law, in 1943. He served as Lieutenant in the United States Navy and was executive officer aboard the LST 744, in the South Pacific wars. His war record included serving during the invasions of Moratia, Leyte and Lingayen in the Philippine Islands. While serving his country in WWII, he met and soon married a Navy WAVE and the love of his life, Carrie Marie Yater.
In 1963 Louis was a founding partner forming Wells, Duncan and Beard Law Firm and has been of counsel with the law firm which now bears the name of Wells, Peyton, Greenberg and Hunt. Since 1963 he served as attorney for British Clubs with offices in London, England and Sunderland, Scotland handling a variety of maritime cases. He also served as general counsel for Higman Towing Company.
Louis’ professional associations included the Maritime Law Association, Southeastern Admiralty Law Association, Propeller Club, American Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, Jefferson County Bar Association and Texas Association of Defense Counsel, chairman of the State Bar Association District 3 Student Admissions Committee and Grievance Committee and also served as chairman of the Southeast Texas Estate Planning Council. In 1995 Louis was presented with the Blackstone Award by the Jefferson County Bar Association in recognition of his consistent ability and courage as a lawyer.
Louis was also involved in the work of the Y.M.C.A., United Appeals, and Chamber of Commerce. He served as chairman of the advisory board for the Salvation Army and as chairman of the professional division of United Appeals. In 1963 he was one of the organizers and the first general counsel of Citizens National Bank.
Louis has been a Rotarian since 1954, served as president in 1959-1960, also serving on the ByLaws, Student Loan, Indoctrination and International Contracts committees and on the Board of Directors. Later years he enjoyed sitting at the old-timers table with many friends including Gator Dollinger and Dr. J.D. Landes.
As an attorney, Louis did not miss dabbling in politics. Waggoner Carr was Louis’ classmate at the University Of Texas School Of Law. When Carr was elected to his first term as attorney general of the State of Texas, Louis served as Chairman of Carr’s Jefferson County Campaign Committee.
Louis is survived by his children: Becky Bryan, Bobby Beard and Bonnie Brown; Grandchildren: Meredith Lemon, Scott Bryan, Leigh Ann Bryan, Casey Bird, Katy Puckett, Carrie Wright, Kallie Dreher, Buck Beard, Matthew Brown and Lucas Brown; Great grandchildren: Abigail & Reagan Lemon, Tyler Bryan, Mattie Mutina, Henry Bird, William & Jack Puckett, Michael, Nate and Sam Wright, Katelyn Kocian, Lila & Kate Brown; Great-Great Grandchildren: Drake Mutina; Sister: Betty Sue Knight
He is preceded in Death by: His wife of 69 years, Carrie Marie Beard; his parents; sisters, Ruby Horn, Ruth Anderson Schilling; twin sister, Lucile Allardyce Nichols; brothers Johnny, Martin & Joe Beard.
The family wishes to extend their special thanks for their devotion and loving care to “Grandpa” from Jennifer Fountain, Cindy Me Williams, Rhonda Haywood, Beth Sellers, and Cherrlyn Farnsworth.
Special thanks goes to Texas Home Health providers; Debby Fontenot, R.N., Jennifer Zumwalt, P.T. and LaToya Kelly, R.N. and volunteers from Nutrition Services of Beaumont; Laura Rice, Cindy Moore, Angelique Como and others.
Friends and family who wish may direct contributions to: Calder Baptist Church-General Fund, 1005 N 11th St. Beaumont, Texas 77702 or Nutrition and Services for Seniors (senior meals.org) 4590 Concord, Beaumont, Texas 77703, 409-892-4455