Dennis Ray Beard

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 6th at 1:00 pm

at American Heritage Funeral Home 10710 Veterans Memorial Dr. At 1:50 pm, we will then drive to Houston National Cemetery,

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive where his ashes will be buried with honors.

A Memorial Service will be held in Blytheville, AR at a later date, to be determined, for those unable to make the long trip to Houston.

Dennis was born July 11th, 1950 to the late Ray “Doodle” Beard and Nell Beard of Blytheville, Arkansas.

They and many other loved ones have now welcomed Dennis with open arms into The Kingdom of Heaven.

Dennis attended Promised Land Elementary and graduated Blytheville High in 1969. He then served 7 years in the United States Airforce. When returning to AR, he worked at Yarnell’s Ice Cream, Swanson Foods, and ran his own side business as a Chimney Sweep, before moving to Houston to work with his brother Randy’s company, Arrow Concrete Services until his retirement.

He most loved spending time with friends and family. One of his favorite things was passing out candy and playing with the little ones.

He also loved to ride his Harley especially road trips with other family members, hunting, fishing, karaoke and watching old westerns on TV.

He is survived by his 3 siblings, his sister, Kathy Anson (widow of husband Gordon) of Fairview Heights, IL, Brother, Gary Beard (wife Mimi) of Gulfport, MS, and brother Randy Beard, Sr. (wife Tabatha) of Katy, TX.

Dennis is also survived by his 3 wonderful children, Daughter, Angel Benefield (husband Shawn), Son, Dwain Beard (wife Christina) and their long re-married mother, Gayle Holt (Stepdad Jim), all of Blytheville, AR and Dennis’s youngest son, Dusty Beard, (wife Cookie), US Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class, of Yokosuka, Japan, who lost his beloved mother Anita Vogler in 2022.

Dennis’s adored 6 grandchildren: Matthew (Ariel) Benefield, Alyssa Benefield, Bradley Benefield, Devin Beard, Austin Beard, Jessie Beard, and 5 precious great grandchildren: Taylor, Hannah, Lucas, and Journey Benefield, and Lillith Beard, all of Blytheville, AR with number 6 due this November.

He was also very close with his 5 nephews, Gary’s Sons: Michael Beard (Christine) of Council Bluffs. IA and Kevin Beard (Christina) of Blytheville, AR (Mom-Pat in Heaven), Randy’s Sons: Kyle Stewart (Taylor), Randy Beard, Jr. (Christina) and Travis Beard, all of Houston, TX (Mom- Laura), 2 nieces, Kathy’s daughter: Susan Mulcahy (David) of St. Louis, MO, Randy’s daughter: Amanda Driskill (Josh) of Marion,AR (Mom-Ellen) and numerous cousins.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Drs. Carla and Jim Gibson, his dearest friends, for their many years of extraordinary friendship and love. He always looked forward to his many visits to their homes in Cedar Creek and Bastrop, TX where he enjoyed horses, fishing, and sometimes just a peaceful loving place to recuperate.

Dennis was an exceptional person. He touched many lives and many hearts. He will be dearly missed and long remembered.