Dr. John Harold Beard

December 31, 2018, our beloved “Brother Johnny” met face to face with the One he loved and preached about for over 75 years – What a reunion! Dr. John Harold Beard was born on March 24, 1927, in Alton, Illinois, to John and Gertrude Beard. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anna Priest and husband, George Priest; and nephew, George Priest, Jr. Brother Johnny accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and, while in high school, surrendered his life to the ministry. He spent twelve more years in higher education earning a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, a Bachelor of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary. He was in evangelism for several years prior to pastoring First Baptist Church, Goliad, Texas; First Baptist Church, Lake Jackson, Texas; Calvary Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas; and Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas. He was honored as pastor emeritus at Colonial Hills Baptist Church. After retiring, he served as interim at Faith Baptist Church, Kaiserslautern, Germany, and other churches in the East Texas area. He was on the Board of Trustees at the University of Corpus Christi and held other offices in the Southern Baptist Convention. Brother Johnny truly loved people and had sincere concern for their spiritual well-being. His passion in life was to put God first, others second and himself last. The heart of his ministry was missions and reaching the world for Christ, which led many people into special service and the foreign mission field. He is survived by his loving wife and helpmate of 67 years, Marty Belle; son, Johnny Beard and wife, Mary; daughter, Deborah Duffer and husband, Eddy; precious grandchildren, John Beard, Hannah Beard, Haley Beard, Jacob Duffer and Joshua Duffer; nieces, Jeanna Soper, Dianna Meisenheimer and Cyndi Crabtree; and nephew, Jim Crabtree. Services will be held Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Colonial Hills Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Branam and Rev. Robert Carter officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, January 4, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Stewart Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Baylor Line Foundation, John H. Beard Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2089, Waco, Texas 76703; or to the International Mission Board in memory of John H. Beard, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, Virginia 23230. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Dr. John Harold Beard

March 24, 1927 - December 31, 2018