Charles N. Beard, Jr.

Charles was born January 16, 1929, in Beaumont, Texas to Fannie F. Fitzgerald and Charles N. Beard, Sr. He was raised in Nederland, Texas where he met his wife of sixty-one years, Opal Nelene Quarles Beard. Charles was a retired teacher with the Beaumont Independent School District and employee of the Texas Comptroller’s Office under Bob Bullock. He was a dedicated Christian husband and the father of five sons.

He graduated from Nederland High School and was employed by Pure Oil Company until returning to college in 1968. He graduated from Lamar University in 1972 along with his wife where they both earned a Bachelor degree in elementary education and began their teaching careers in Beaumont at the same time, while still raising five sons.  Charles was an Eagle Scout and was very active in Boy Scouting throughout his life. In 1985 he was elected to the statewide position of President of the Texas State Teachers Association. He and his wife moved to Austin, Texas where he served in that position until 1989. After completion of his term he was employed by the Texas Comptroller’s Office until he retired in 1996.

In 2002 Charles and Opal returned to the Beaumont area and settled in Pinewood where he was close to his family and friends.  He attended Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont and was a Master Mason in the South Park Lodge, #1320 with fifty years plus.

Charles will be remembered as an avid outdoorsman. He instilled his deep passion for hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching, enjoying nature and anything related to the outdoors to each and every single one of his sons and grandchildren.  He was well known for his love of numerous outdoor gadgets.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Fannie F. Fitzgerald and Charles Noble Beard, Sr.; his stepmother, Pearl Beard; his granddaughter, Kalika Renee’ Beard; his wife’s parents,  Sammy Harris Quarles and E. E. Quarles; his uncle, James Key (Hambone) Fitzgerald Sr.; and several brothers-in-law.

Charles is survived by his wife, Opal Nelene Quarles Beard, along with their five sons and their wives; James and Peggy Beard of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Michael and Candace Beard of Baytown, Pat Beard of Countrywood, Daniel and Pam Beard of Beaumont, and Timothy and Elaine Beard of Pinewood. Surviving grandchildren and their spouses include Stephen and Marina Beard of Katy, Lieutenant Commander Christian Beard, United States Navy and his wife Laurel Beard of Jacksonville, Florida, Eric and Elizabeth Beard of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Specialist Crispin Beard, United States Army of Vicenza, Italy, Glori Loxterman of Kemah, Michael, James and Anastasia Loxterman of Baytown, Charles Daniel Beard of Beaumont, and Samuel and Alex Beard of Pinewood; and great grandchildren include Grace Loxterman, Carson Beard, Maisie Beard, Lucas Beard and Ethan Beard. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Tessie Alvarez and her husband Peter of Cheek; brother-in-law, J.D. Quarles and his wife Ann of Orange, and brother-in-law, Bobby Quarles and his wife Shirley of Livingston.

A gathering of his friends and family will be Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at Broussard’s 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at Broussard’s with a Masonic burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont. 

The family has eagerly requested that casual attire to be worn with an emphasis on outdoor clothing.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Southeast Texas Food Bank and their Backpack Program, P.O. Box 21012, Beaumont, Texas  77720.