Jerry Beard

Gerald Owen “Jerry” Beard went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 16, 2019 after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a wonderful example of a Christian man, husband, grandfather, and friend to many. Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Frances, of Lubbock; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Darin Carrasco of Helotes; son, Christopher Beard of Dallas, brother and sister-in-law Bobby and Diane Beard of Snyder, granddaughter Carly Carrasco of Helotes, brother and sister-in-law Gene and Pam Davenport, and numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Haskell and Elizabeth Beard, of Snyder and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Alice Beard, of Abilene; and in-laws Clyde and Mattie Beth Davenport of Bangs.

Jerry was born on December 24, 1945 in Snyder, Texas to Haskell and Elizabeth Beard. He graduated from Snyder High School in 1964 and followed in family footsteps to Texas Tech University, graduating in 1968 from with a degree in Education. He married Frances Davenport on April 5,1969 at Concord Baptist Church in Bangs, Texas. He was drafted into military service in 1969 and served his country as a Staff Sergeant and Instructor of Veterinary Medicine at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls from 1969-1973. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Midwestern University in 1973.

Jerry retired in May 2014 after 46 years of being an educator in the Texas public schools. His work history includes being a teacher and bus driver at Springlake-Earth High School; a high school counselor at Baird ISD, Cross Plains ISD, and Coleman ISD; and Special Education counselor at Kermit ISD. The last 28 years of his education career were spent as an administrator, beginning with 10 years as the Special Education Director for the Kermit-Wink-Loving Co-op and ending with 18 years as the Director of Instructional Services at Levelland ISD. During this time, he also enjoyed being the “Voice of the Kermit Yellowjackets” football announcer for 10 years and working in the press box during the Levelland Lobos football games.

Jerry was always very involved in his community. In college he was a member of the Texas Tech Saddle Tramps spirit organization. He was also a member of the Kermit Downtown Lions (serving as President in 1986-87); the Levelland Noon Lions Club; the Association of Compensatory Educators of Texas (serving as the Region XVII Director in 2003); the Hockley County Voices Coalition (serving as treasurer up until the time of his death); the Texas Tech Alumni Association; the Red Raider Club; the South Plains College Texan Club; the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the Texas Association of School Administrators, and the Retired Teachers of Lubbock. Special accomplishments include receiving the Dr. Kitty Harris Award for Outstanding Service to Youth in the area of substance abuse and violence in 2001; serving on the Levelland Main Street Board; and the District Site-Committee for Levelland ISD. Jerry implemented the GED Testing for Adult Education at Levelland ISD. He had amazing skills in grant writing. He wrote many grants for non-profits in the Lubbock area and was very successful in raising funds for them.

He was active in many church activities in various churches over the years, including teaching Sunday school, serving as the finance committee chair, and volunteering at Hope Shalom.

Jerry was an avid sports fan and an especially devoted Texas Tech Red Raider fan for over 60 years. He attended 100s of events, regardless of sport. He rarely missed a Thursday night Texas Tech coaches show and always asked an insightful question, prompting his children to nickname him “Jerry from Lubbock.” For the past 20 years, he annually enjoyed participating in the Levelland fantasy

football league. He was a loyal fan of both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers since their formations.

Jerry was known as an outgoing and positive man. If he met a stranger, that person was not a stranger for long. He knew how to ask the right questions and have the right conversation on hand. His thirst for knowledge and travel was with him to the very end. He will be dearly missed, but he leaves behind his passion for family, friends, and neighbors. Jerry’s life was a life fully lived and fully loved.

A funeral is scheduled for July 19, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church in Lubbock, with graveside services to follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Dr. Richard Rush will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jerry’s life. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18th, from 6-8 pm at Resthaven Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in his memory to the Red Raider Club, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or Calvary Baptist Church.