James Delphin Beard, Jr., 84, of Lumberton, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was born on March 1, 1941 in Jasper, Texas. He was the only child of James Delphin Beard and Ruby Woods Beard. His father was killed in a plane crash in India in 1945. Ervin Jackson married his mother in 1947 and was the father who James always said “raised him”. He graduated from Jasper high school in 1958 and from Lamar State College of Technology in 1964. James met the love of his life in Jasper during his senior year of high school. He married Mary Jane Primrose on June 25, 1960 and they celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage this past June.
Upon graduating from college James went to work for Petroleum State Insurance Company in Beaumont. He was involved in all aspects of the insurance industry with several companies until his retirement in 2009. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant.
James was an avid ham radio operator for many years. He enjoyed collecting knives, stamps, coins, and depression glass. He also enjoyed tinkering with small engines and electronics. He loved fixing things and making them work again.
James loved the Lord. He was baptized into Christ in January 1960 and was always active in the work of encouraging others. He served as an elder in the Caprock church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, and the Cyfair church in Houston, Texas. At the time of his death, James was an active member of the Dowlen Rd. church of Christ in Beaumont, Texas.
James was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his unwavering faith, generous, heart, and the deep love he had for his family and his Lord.
He is preceded in death by his father James Sr., his mother Ruby Jackson, and his stepfather Ervin Jackson.
James is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Primrose Beard; daughter, Allyson Beard Browning, and her husband, Jim; son, James Jackson “Jimmy” Beard; grandson Daniel Mullins and Wife, Breanna; granddaughters Amber Mullins, Elizabeth Wise and husband Travis; and six great grandchildren, Annabelle, Everett, James, Peter Vera and Priscilla, as well as a host of extended family members and dear friends.
