Gary Leon Beard was born August 21, 1941 to the late Uel B. and Lillie Canady Beard on Mill Creek in Hickman County. He passed from this life on August 4, 2023 making his stay 81 years, 11 months and 14 days.

Gary grew up on Mill Creek and Bells Branch Church and School were important places in his early life. In 1953, they moved to a farm located on the corner of Highway 100 and Gray’s Bend road in the Fairfield Community. He lived here until 1963 when he married Norma Talley and they moved across Gray’s Bend road to what was affectionately called “the Troutner House.” In November 1969 a daughter, Shelia Ann, was born and in October 1970 (11 months later) a son, John Howard was born. In September 1972, Gary, Norma, Shelia and John moved to a “new house” back across Grays Bend Road to be next door to Uel and Lillie. Gary and Norma lived in this house until Norma passed in September, 2022 and in June 2023, an accidental fall left Gary hospitalized until his passing.

In 1967, Levi Strauss opened a manufacturing plant in Centerville and Gary was one of the first mechanics hired. When Levi’s decided to close in 1998, Gary was one of the last employees severanced. He would often say he set up the machines and tore them down.

In between all of this, John began playing sports and participating in Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts was something that Gary could help with as well and what he enjoyed being involved with the most. He became so involved that he worked to get his certification to be an Assistant Scoutmaster. He worked alongside Scoutmaster Danny Goodpasture and Scoutmaster Steve Gregory while John worked to obtain his Eagle rank and worked with the troop for several years after. His favorite memories with the scouts were around the Appalachian trail hike that took them from North Carolina to Dalton Georgia and when the troop went to the National Jamboree in Washington D.C.

Gary was also an active leader in the church by teaching Bible class every Sunday and when John wasn’t home or Brian Horner wasn’t there, he also led singing. Anyone that grew up around Uel Beard knew that he taught singing, the reading and singing of shape notes. Uel had a high tenor voice and Gary was bass. Neither voice really lent to being able to lead.

Along with his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Norma, and his son John. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shelia and Keith Plunkett, one grandson, Hudson Beard, and daughter-in-law Lezlee Beard Gower. He is also survived by sister-in-law Orpha Talley Easley and brother (sister)-in-law Howard and Christine Talley along with a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be 7 Aug 2023 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at McDonald Funeral Home – Hickman County.  Funeral Services will be held 8 Aug 2023 at 11: 00 AM at McDonald Funeral Home – Hickman County with burial to follow at Charles L Nickell Memorial Park, Centerville, TN.