Dr. Curtis Franklin Lard, Ph.D.

Dr. Curtis Franklin Lard, Ph.D., passed away April 9, 2016 in College Station. Funeral services for Dr. Curtis Lard will be held at First Baptist Church College Station Saturday April 16, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday April 15 at Memorial Funeral Chapel.

Curtis was born in Waterloo, Alabama to Mazie and Grady Lard, and grew up in Savannah, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1957 and received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from Michigan State University. He began his teaching career at the University of Tennessee. In 1967 he came to Texas A&M as Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Then in 1970 he was appointed Assistant Dean of Agriculture, where he remained until 1989. He returned to the classroom in 1990.

Professor Lard received numerous awards while teaching at Texas A&M, including the Dr. John Koldus Distinguished Service Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence. He enjoyed teaching and students thought highly of him. Over the years many students expressed their appreciation for his guidance and help in graduating from Texas A&M. Upon retirement in 2010 he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Lard’s involvement in community activities included the Bryan Rotary Club, faculty bowling league, and Friday morning prayer breakfast. Spending time teaching his children and grandchildren to fish and golf were two of his favorite things to do. His first priority in life was his commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a faithful member of his church and served as deacon from a young man to his death. He taught a men’s Sunday School class for many years. He was core leader from First Baptist Church, College Station in starting two mission churches: Parkway Baptist and Living Hope Baptist Church. He also helped with the start of the Cowboy Church in Wellborn.

He leaves his wife Anna (Jimmie); daughter Deborah and son-in-law Franz Krager - Houston. Daughter Patricia and Gabriele Parri, Italy. Son Curtis Lard, Jr. and wife Caroline – Houston; son Darryl Lard and wife Amy – Euless, Texas. Sister Celia Godwin and brother-in-law, Cecil Godwin; sister Sadie Williams; brother Thomas Lard; and sister-in-law Lucille Lard, all of Savannah, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Grady Lard, Jr. Curtis was PaPa to nine grandchildren: Anna Lard Baranski and her husband Phil, Andrew Lard, Connor Lard, Cavan Lard, Ciara Lard, Clare Lard, Giovanni Parri, Alana Meggison and Ian Meggison.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the flower fund of First Baptist Church – College Station – 2300 Welsh St. College Station, Texas 77845 or the Curtis F. Lard Family Scholarship Fund in the Department of Agriculture Economics (Account #35022.) Checks can be made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation, and mailed to 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840-2811. Please include a note indicating that the gift is in memory of Dr. Curtis Lard.