Pat Beard

Pat Beard June 22, 1925 November 30, 2013 Pat Beard died peacefully at his home on November 30, 2013, at the age of 88. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Waco 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 5, with interment at White Rock Cemetery. Visitation will be at the law office of Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick, Dickson and Squires 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 4. He was born on June 22, 1925, in Waco to H.S. and Irna Beard. He had four brothers; Bramlet Beard of Kingsport, Tennessee, the late Mike Beard of Waco, the late Jim Beard of Dublin, Ohio, and Frank Beard of Waco. He attended Waco High and Baylor and served on the editorial staff of the Waco High Wacoan and the Baylor Lariat newspapers. He served in the Army during WWII and graduated from Baylor in 1947. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1950 and started practicing law with his father, H.S. Beard, in 1952. He and David Kultgen founded the law firm of Beard & Kultgen in 1955 and merged with Rick Brophy, Rick Bostwick, David Dickson, and Rod Squires to form Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick, Dickson and Squires in 2003. Pat met the love of his life, Martha Sue George of Corsicana, Texas, on a blind date in Washington D.C. After returning to Waco to practice law, he and Martha were married in January 1953. He was active in the Scottish Rite and attained the 33rd degree, one of the highest honors bestowed. He was passionate about the work of the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital of Texas and served many years on the board of the hospital. He was a staunch Democrat and active on all levels supporting and advising many candidates. He enjoyed tennis all of his life and played regularly with his close friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha in 2002; his brothers, Mike in 1991 and Jim in 2011. He is survived by his children, Carey Casey and husband, Don, of Salado, Texas, Mike Beard of Waco, Bramlet Beard and wife, Michelle, of Ennis, Texas, Joe Beard and wife, Sherry, of Waco and Bob Beard and wife, Laura, of Dallas; numerous grandchildren and one great grandchild. The children would like to thank all of those that have given tirelessly to the support and care of our father over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.