James Crawford Beard III

Easley, SC

James C. (Jim) Beard, III, 69, widower of Linda E. Beard, went home to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Easley Baptist Hospital.

Mr. Beard was born in Queens, New York on December 12, 1942. He was the son of James C. Beard, Jr. and Regina K. Richards Beard, both deceased.

He was a 1961 graduate of Parker High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1961 where he proudly served as an Airman until his Honorable Discharge in September 1965. He met his wife while in the USAF. They were married on January 4, 1964. After his discharge he served in Management positions in the restaurant industry and was employed by Dairy Queen for over 20 years. After retiring, Mr. Beard worked as a Sales Manager at his brothers Appliance Business.

As a child, he was raised in the Methodist church. In 2005, he was baptized in the Baptist church and attended Trinity Point Church until his passing.

Mr. Beard was a member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, a lifetime member and the State Adjutant of the Veterans Service Corp. of Greenville, a member of the Robert Anderson Chapter, South Carolina Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the National Order of Trench Rats (a secret fraternal and honor organization that limits its membership to members of the Disabled American Veterans). He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren by attending their numerous activities.

Surviving are his three children, Thelma (TJ) Ouvry and her husband William (Will), Cathrine (Katie) Howard and her husband George (Jr.) and Airman James (JC) Beard IV, USN, all of Easley; 2 sisters, Virginia Westmoreland and Patricia Nessler; 2 brothers, John Beard and William Beard; 4 grandchildren, George Howard, LCpl Zachary Hawkins, USMC, Kathryn Howard and Nicholas Hawkins; 3 nephews, 2 nieces and 1 grand niece.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 in the Chapel of the Woodlawn Mortuary in Greenville with Pastor Mike Mohler (Trinity Point Church) officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Veterans section under the US Flag where he will be receiving full military honors.

Pall bearers are: Will Ouvry, Jr. Howard, LCpl Hawkins, George Howard, Billy Beard and Bill Quentin. Honorary Pall Bearer, Charlie Porter.

Visitation will be from 12:00 - 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Greenville, South Carolina.

The family is at their respective homes.

The family would like to thank the staff of Easley Baptist Hospital for the compassionate care shown to Mr. Beard throughout his illness.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.