Beard, Harry Geddie

Dr. Harry Geddie Beard, age 89, died at Elmcroft Assisted Living on Friday, December 3, 2010. Dr. Beard, the son of Henry Beard and Mary Geddie Beard, was born at Beard Station, near Fayetteville, NC, on April 30, 1921. He graduated from Central High School and received bachelor‘s and master‘s degrees from North Carolina State University. He was elected to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at North Carolina State University. He served for four years in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he continued his education at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and was awarded the Doctoral Degree from that University. Dr. Beard worked in the public schools of North Carolina for 33 years. He served as teacher of vocational agriculture, principal and as superintendent. At the state level, he was Assistant Director of Vocational Education in the Department of Public Instruction. He served as assistant professor of education at North Carolina State University. His last position before retirement was Dean of Instruction at Sandhills Community College at Pinehurst. Dr. Beard was selected by the Raleigh News and Observer as its‘ “Tar Heel of the week”, January 27, 1963. Dr. Beard is survived by his daughter, Carol Elizabeth Beard of Whispering Pines, NC; son, William Thomas Beard of Carthage, NC; daughter-in-law, Christina Edge Beard of Carthage, NC and grandchildren Rachel Elizabeth Beard and Sarah Evelyn Beard of Carthage, NC. He was preceded in death by his wife Verness Maness Beard in 2008. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dr. Beard‘s name to the Alzheimer‘s Diseases and Related Disorders Association, 3800 Shamrock, Charlotte, NC, 28215. A graveside service will be held at Dr. Beard‘s home Church, Lebanon Baptist Church, Beard Road, Eastover Community, Fayetteville, NC, on Thursday, December 9th, 2010 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Tom Williams officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst is serving the family.