Jasper Newton (Newt) Beard lived his 104 years with courage, strength, and a great sense of humor. He was born in Clyde, Texas on March 26, 1908, son of Samuel and Hattie Bridges Beard. He grew up in Galatin, Texas, one of six children. During his lifetime he witnessed most of the major events and developments of the 20th Century. He graduated from Galatin High school in 1926. In the 1920s and 30s, he followed the Potato Harvest in Idaho, laid pipe line, and was grateful to land a job in the oil field on a Wild Cat Drilling Rig.
While working in East Texas, he met Vera Nation Beard and they married November 27, 1934. They had two children, Peggy and Travis. The family spent the WW2 years with his working in the oil refineries of Baytown, Texas. In 1945, they moved to Kilgore, Texas where he continued to work for Humble Oil. His job as a pumper provided quiet time, which he spent studying the Bible. He was very active in the Church of Christ serving as an elder and teacher. Following his retirement from Humble Oil, he pursued a second career in men’s clothing, working for Reynolds Penland and Dillard’s in Longview, Texas.
In 1991, he and Vera moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, where they were dedicated members of the Mound and Starr Church of Christ, now N.E. Stallings Drive Church of Christ. He embraced the new world of computers and became actively involved in SeniorNet.
When Vera was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease, he lovingly cared for her for over eight years until her death in 1999.
In 2002, Newt and Thetys Keeling Worley began “keeping company”. They married in 2003 and continued to be very active in the church and spending time with their extended families.
Newt is survived by his loving wife, Thetys Beard of Nacogdoches; daughter, Peggy Fare and husband Don, of Nacogdoches; son, Cdr. Travis Beard and wife Joan of Cottage Grove, Minnesota; sister, Opal Beard Carter of Houston; step-sister, Alma Dale Garrison of Dallas; grandchildren: Shelley Brophy of Nacogdoches; Allyson (Jim) Hartt of Tyler; Julie (Don) Madden of Apple Springs; Travis Fare of Dallas, Travis (Andrea) Beard of Colorado; and Cliff Beard, Green Beret currently serving in Afghanistan. Great grandchildren include Megan Hartt, Mitchell Hartt, Christopher Brophy, Madison Fare, Mackenzie Madden, Jackson Beard, and Trey Beard; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, wife Vera and great-granddaughter Katie.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 am Monday, June 18, 2012 at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Sunset Chapel, preceding the funeral service at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will include: Travis Fare, Jim Hartt, Don Madden, Mike Burkett, Lynn Black, Jason Lankford, and Bill Fisk.
Honorary Pallbearers will include: Harold Dow, J.D. Harkrider, Jim Sevey, Vyrne Shofner.
Newt was a man of quiet strength and firm resolve, but a very gentle man…and you always left his company with a smile on your face.
Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors at 5400 North Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75965.
