Gary Beard
BEARD, GARY L. PORTLAND, MI It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the age of 64. Gary was born on October 9, 1940 in Lansing, Michigan. He was married to Joan O. Travis on August 28, 1965 and celebrated forty glorious years with her this year. His love and devotion to his wife and their three children, Gary, Tracy, and Julie will always be felt. Gary grew up and worked in the Lansing area for most of his life. He and his father's company, Beard Welding and Erection, worked all over Michigan, notably on the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, where Gary was the first person to make the South crossing of the Bridge from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City. He served our country for four years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and then spent several years working for the Granger Companies. Gary loved the gentle and lasting things of this earth; sunrises and sunsets, the moon and stars, golden fields and the blossoms of the trees in the spring, flowing waters and thunderstorms, deer in the woods, and the flight of birds in the sky. He loved his animals, the barn cats, the cows and pigs and his dogs, Sadie, Sam, Alex and Rhett. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved racing in his '34 Ford. A craftsman and mechanic of unparalleled expertise, he used his creativity and skill to help build many wonderful things; our cherished family farm, elementary school playgrounds, theatre sets for school plays, and wonderful treasures for his family. Gary found great joy in the lives of his children. He delighted in their accomplishments and gave great strength and peace to them in times of trouble. They will always remember the strength in his voice, beautiful smile, hearty laugh, and gentle hands. He was their greatest supporter and always greeted them with a beautiful smile and enormous hug when they walked through the door. He was our hero and his loss will be felt deeply. Gary is survived by his wife, Joan; his three children, Maj Gary L. Beard II of Columbia, S.C., Tracy Anne Beard of Southfield, MI and Julie Beard Travis of Portland, MI. He is also survived by his mother, Leona M. Beard; his sisters, Mary Jo (Curt) Daggett and Janet K. (Gary) Tellier; and his beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leland E. Beard and sister Connie L. (Jay) Anderson, who was survived by three children, Kristen M. (Kraig) Gazley, Kelly J. (James) Ryan, and Kathy N. (Benjamin) Van Fossen, whose mother traveled the same path as her brother and whose children held a special place in his heart. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Portland with Rev. Marilyn V. Danielson officiating. The family will hold visitation at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland on Monday, August 29, from 7-9 p.m., and Tuesday, August 30 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. For those desiring contributions may be made in Gary's name to the Portland District Library. Online condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com.Obituary
BEARD, GARY L. PORTLAND, MI It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the age of 64. Gary was born on October 9, 1940 in Lansing, Michigan. He was married to Joan O. Travis on August 28, 1965 and celebrated forty glorious years with her this year. His love and devotion to his wife and their three children, Gary, Tracy, and Julie will always be felt. Gary grew up and worked in the Lansing area for most of his life. He and his father's company, Beard Welding and Erection, worked all over Michigan, notably on the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, where Gary was the first person to make the South crossing of the Bridge from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City. He served our country for four years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and then spent several years working for the Granger Companies. Gary loved the gentle and lasting things of this earth; sunrises and sunsets, the moon and stars, golden fields and the blossoms of the trees in the spring, flowing waters and thunderstorms, deer in the woods, and the flight of birds in the sky. He loved his animals, the barn cats, the cows and pigs and his dogs, Sadie, Sam, Alex and Rhett. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved racing in his '34 Ford. A craftsman and mechanic of unparalleled expertise, he used his creativity and skill to help build many wonderful things; our cherished family farm, elementary school playgrounds, theatre sets for school plays, and wonderful treasures for his family. Gary found great joy in the lives of his children. He delighted in their accomplishments and gave great strength and peace to them in times of trouble. They will always remember the strength in his voice, beautiful smile, hearty laugh, and gentle hands. He was their greatest supporter and always greeted them with a beautiful smile and enormous hug when they walked through the door. He was our hero and his loss will be felt deeply. Gary is survived by his wife, Joan; his three children, Maj Gary L. Beard II of Columbia, S.C., Tracy Anne Beard of Southfield, MI and Julie Beard Travis of Portland, MI. He is also survived by his mother, Leona M. Beard; his sisters, Mary Jo (Curt) Daggett and Janet K. (Gary) Tellier; and his beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leland E. Beard and sister Connie L. (Jay) Anderson, who was survived by three children, Kristen M. (Kraig) Gazley, Kelly J. (James) Ryan, and Kathy N. (Benjamin) Van Fossen, whose mother traveled the same path as her brother and whose children held a special place in his heart. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Portland with Rev. Marilyn V. Danielson officiating. The family will hold visitation at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland on Monday, August 29, from 7-9 p.m., and Tuesday, August 30 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. For those desiring contributions may be made in Gary's name to the Portland District Library. Online condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com.
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