Travis Edwin Beard passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, July 3, 2005, at his home in Beaumont. He was born on Sept. 4, 1915 in Edge, Texas, the fourth child of Travis and Mattie King Beard and was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Travis graduated from Beaumont High School in 1933 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1934. He served on the U.S.S. New Mexico in the North Atlantic and the U.S.S. Mayo during the Salerno-Italian Invasion during World War II. Later, he served in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict. Travis retired in 1958 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.
After his military career, Travis graduated from Lamar University with his Bachelor of Science in Math and History and Master of Science in Math from LSU in Baton Rouge. For twenty years, he taught math at French High School until he retired in 1977. He was also a fifty-year member of Madison Masonic Lodge #126 A. F. & A. M.
Travis’ past experiences in the military continued to influence his life in his writings of military history. He published several articles in the magazine Naval History about the events of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Beard of Beaumont; nine stepchildren; Larry Avery and his wife Debbie of Roanoke, Virginia, Robert Avery and his wife Pat of Humble, Michael Avery and his wife Sue of Kountze, Bonnie Mitchell and her husband Darnell of Beaumont, Pam Mariam of Buna, Selman Boudreaux and his wife Sissy of Buna, Mary Jane Stanley of Buna, David Boudreaux of Buna; Dale Boudreaux and his wife Julie of Saxon, Kentucky; sisters-in-law, Daisy Brown Bissett and Jean Brown Garcia both of Galveston; brother-in-law, Brooks Brown of Virginia Beach, Virginia; seventeen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
The family would like to especially thank Mr. Beard’s caregiver, Vicki Ortiz Garcia, for all her help and to Southern Care Hospice.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at Broussard’s Chapel, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Masonic graveside services will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park by Madison Masonic Lodge #126 in Orange A. F. & A. M.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy’s Haven, P. O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
