Michael William Beard

Michael William Beard, 67, died in Little Rock on May 13, 2013. Mike was born in Pine Bluff on June 26, 1945, to Guy Beard and Virginia (Sis) Clement Beard. Except for several months in Hawaii during the Korean War when his dad was called back into military service, he lived his entire life in Little Rock where he was blessed with many friends and a close family. The Korean War ended and the Beards returned to Little Rock where Mike, his brother Robert and sister, Lynne grew up in the Heights neighborhood. Mike's love of the outdoors began here where he enjoyed a childhood playing with friends in the Catholic College woods, roaming the neighborhood, movies at the Heights Theater and camping out at the rock quarry. Mike was an accomplished white water enthusiast and among the first in Arkansas to become interested in white water canoeing and later kayaking and rafting. He logged many adventurous river miles, always on the lookout for the upstream ferry, which was – to hear him tell it - always dangerously close. Highlights of his paddling years were kayaking the Grand Canyon and representing the USA during a white water competition in Siberia. Both trips provided lots of ammunition for another of his loves: the "embellished" campfire story. He could tell some good ones and as recently as last month, he was entertaining his dinner companions by retelling the story of the Russian paddlers who had a pen of chickens next to their tent and every night the chicken census mysteriously decreased at supper time. Mike graduated from Hall High in 1963 and then spent a year working for P.C. Hardware "finding himself" before enrolling in Arkansas State Teachers College (now known as the University of Central Arkansas). He was a member of Phi Lambda Chi fraternity and graduated in 1968 with a BS degree and immediately was compelled to become a part of the Army Reserves where he served as supply sergeant answering to his company commander and lifelong friend Steve Shepherd. Mike's career included several years with Arkansas Farm Bureau and most recently as Fleet Manager for North Point Ford. In addition to camping and paddling, Mike enjoyed fishing, cars, guns, and motorcycles and he owned several of each at one time or another. One of his favorites was a motorcycle and sidecar that he persuaded his wife Deborah to try out ONCE. Mike married Deborah Brockman of Star City in 1978 and they settled into the Hillcrest neighborhood to raise their son, Matthew. Mike enjoyed puttering in his yard and garage. On Saturdays, he could be found "Snapperizing" his yard or just piddling in his workshop. He could fix or build just about anything. He never met a tool that he did not need at least three of. Mike had a soft spot for dogs, cats and children. When Matthew started his family, "Daddy Big" quickly fell in love with his granddaughter Jaina and grandson Pearson. He could be talked into doing just about anything for either of them. Mike was a member of the Arkansas Canoe Club, Ozark Society, Lakeside County Club, Benton Gun Club and the El Faco Ba Racing Team. Mike was predeceased by his father, Guy William Beard. He is survived by his mother, Virginia (Sis) Clement Beard, in addition to his wife, Deborah Brockman Beard, son, Matthew Martin Beard (Holly Colclasure), granddaughter, Jaina Nicole Beard, grandson, Pearson Charles Michael Beard. He is also survived by his brother Robert Beard of Bryant, sister, Lynne Beard Quinn (Tony) of Annandale, Virginia, and nieces, Stephanie Beard Dyer (Mark), Jessica Beard Fox (John) and their families, Abigail Quinn and nephew, Alan Quinn in addition to the proverbial host of other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 17, at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock. Dr. Randy Hyde will officiate. Special music will be provided by Rev. Jim Munns. Honorary pall bearers are: Kenny Holmes, Alston Jennings, Steve Shepherd, Gary Gazette, Basil Hicks, John McKellar, Bonnie Limbird, and Pat Holthoff. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the church. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh, Little Rock, Ark. 72205, CARE or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements b Ruebel Funeral Home, www.rueblfuneralhome.com.