David Joseph Beard

David was a 1957 graduate of Uvalde High School, Uvalde, Texas. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he served from 1957-1965, with 1 year active duty in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 1961-1962. He received an Associate’s Degree in Arts from Southwest Texas Junior College, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1964, as well as a Master of Science in Social Work in 1968.

David retired in 1993 after 30 years of employment with the State of Texas. He began his career as a child welfare worker in Taylor County, Abilene, Texas and continued to work for the welfare of children until his retirement from the Day Care Licensing division of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services in Austin.

David was active with his high school alumni, having served on the alumni association board of directors. He played a key role in the development of an alumni association scholarship and regularly traveled to Uvalde for monthly dinners. He also served as Member & Recording Secretary for Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Executive Committee Auxiliary to Columbia-St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX as well as member of the Newsletter Committee and Chair of the ICU Waiting Room Committee.

David was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Carlton Beard, in April 1983 and his mother, Olivia E. Beard, October 1998. He is survived by his brother, Lewis Clement Beard; son, Jeffrey Wade Beard; son & daughter-in-law, James Travis & Dianne W. Beard; grandchildren Liam, Olivia, Ava, and Gracie Beard.

David was a wonderful man who cared for a great many people throughout his lifetime. He never met a stranger and if he had, they wouldn’t be strangers for long. His generosity was limitless and without compare. His love for his children, grandchildren, and friends cannot be expressed in mere words.

Please join us in celebrating David’s life by carrying on his love for people. Let’s show a little more kindness today, say hello to someone we don’t know, and smile at each other as we pass. Let’s smile at each other like David would have smiled at us all.

The family will receive guests at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 22, 2010. The funeral service will be conducted in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home at10:00 a.m., October 23, 2010. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX.

To share memories with the family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.