James Paul Beard

James Paul Beard passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 6, 2021. He was born on December 24, 1924, in Temple Texas. Jim was a warrior, a patriot, and a gentleman. He was also a servant leader and, as he would say, a “sinner saved by grace”. He was a kind and humble man who loved his God, his family, and friends.

Jim grew up in Ballinger, Texas and after graduating high school, enrolled at Texas A&M. After completing his freshman year, Jim left A&M to enlist in the US Army Air Corp (US Airforce) to join the war effort in 1943. On January 15, 1945, he was shot down over the border of Austria and Croatia and landed behind enemy lines. Being aided by heroic actions of the Croatian underground and through a series of miraculous events, Jim made his way out of enemy territory and was flown to safety reaching an allied base in Bari, Italy. This event shaped his character and solidified his faith, and he has been asked many times to recount this story. Jim continued to fly missions until the war ended, then enlisted with the Air Force Reserves for 16 more years.

Following his military career Jim worked in the shoe business starting in sales and retiring in 1975 as the supervisor and manager of the Holiday Shoe store in the North Star Mall. Jim also worked his ranches in Hamilton and Coryell County, Texas. He loved the land and spending time with his wife and son, and later his grandchildren. He was family oriented, a loving father, a faithful husband and in later years a tender caregiver to his wife Joyce.

Jim enjoyed a life of faith, family and friends. He loved his church family at Wayside Chapel and was very active in his Adult Bible Fellowship class and Bible Study Fellowship groups. Jim spent many years as a Bluebird Volunteer at the Northeast Baptist Hospital serving on the oncology floor and sharing his stories and faith with many friends. He was an avid reader and enjoyed playing dominos and board games and I’m told in earlier years he was a pretty good dancer.

Jim moved to Bryan, Texas in August 2017 at the request and invitation of Margie and Doug Kunze who have long been family to Jim and affectionately call him Dad and Grandad. Because of their great and loving care, Jim was able to continue an active and independent life, making new friends and enjoying family life. At 96 years Jim passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was a remarkable man and will be dearly missed.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Paul Beard and Corrin Fuller Beard, wife Joyce Ash Beard, son Michael Paul Beard, grandson Todd Beard, granddaughter Tiffany Vaughn, sister Wanda Beard Primrose and brother-in-law Jack Primrose. He is survived by grandson Matthew Beard and great grandson Jonathan Vaughn, nephew Paul Primrose, and nieces Patricia Butler, Vicki Goetz, and Linda Horton. He is also survived by very close family friends Richard and Carole Clifford; the Kunze family: Margie and Doug Kunze and their children and families: Elise and David Larner and their sons Noah Paul and Soloman David, and Calvin and Taylor Kunze and their children Charlie Mae, Arlo Grant, and Robert Knox.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

10:00 A.M.

WAYSIDE CHAPEL – 410 CAMPUS

INTERMENT

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

2:30 P.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Memorial contributions may be made to:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis TN 38105

[email protected]

Wayside Chapel Missions

1705 NW Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78209

Waysidechapel.org