FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2008

Memorial services for Larry Beard announced

Joplin, Mo. - Memorial services for Larry Beard, husband of Missouri Southern Director of Athletics Sallie Beard, will be held this Friday, September 12 at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church on 6th and Pearl in Joplin.

Beard passed away Tuesday afternoon after a long battle with cancer. Visitation will take place Thursday, September 11 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Mason-Woodard Mortuary at 3701 E. 7th Street in Joplin. Internment will take place at 10 am on Friday, September 12 at Ozark Cemetery at 415 N. St. Louis in Joplin before moving to the church for the memorial service.

Donations in lieu of flowers are asked to be made to Community Hospice in the care of Mason-Woodard.

Larry's obituary follows below:

Lawrence M. Beard

Lawrence Milford “Larry” Beard, 61, of Joplin, died September 9, 2008, at his home in Joplin. Larry was born December 12, 1946, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Georgeanne (Switzer) Beard and Carl Wilson Beard. Larry married Sallie Roper in Joplin on July 17, 1976. She survives.

He graduated from College High School in Pittsburg, KS in 1964. During high school, Larry was active in all sports, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field events. Larry attended Kansas State College of Pittsburg on a football scholarship and was a varsity letterman from 1965-1968. He earned Central Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference honors twice. In 1968, Larry received the Sunflower Award, given annually to the senior team member with the highest GPA. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a minor in Spanish. In 1974, he completed a Master of Arts degree in History from Kansas State College of Pittsburg.

After graduating from college, he began teaching in the Joplin R-VIII School District in 1969. Larry enjoyed his thirty-year career and the more than 6,000 young people who were his students. He taught American History and Government; and he coached football, track and field, and girls’ golf. After 1999, Larry took full advantage of his retirement. He was a voracious reader, an audiophile, an avid sports buff, a student of history, and a gifted woodworker who lovingly created many pieces of furniture for family members, including two grandfather clocks. His greatest joy was his family, especially the two granddaughters born during the last two years of his life. His greatest passions were nurturing his daughter and son. He was a constant support and champion for Sallie.

He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary education society, the National Education Association, and the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Carl Beard. In addition to his wife of 32 years, Larry is survived by two children, Meghan Klosterman (and husband Shawn) of Carl Junction, Missouri, and Andrew Beard, of Denver, Colorado; two grandchildren, Camryn Klosterman and Norah Klosterman; his mother, Georgeanne Beard of Pittsburg, Kansas; two sisters, Barbara Wales (and husband Alex) of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Melissa Beard, of Parkville, Missouri; five cousins; and many nieces and nephews. He was loved by many friends.