Horace Pearman Beard (Harry)

March 23, 1927 - December 15, 2008

Horace Pearman Beard (Harry), of 104 Lowes Lane, Columbia, Kentucky, entered into rest on December 15, 2008 at Summit Manor Health and Rehab. He was 81.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, James B. Beard and Irby (Toler) Beard of Richmond, Virginia; two brothers, Julian M. Beard and Garland B. Beard of Richmond, Virginia; and two sisters, Dorothy Nunnally of Richmond, Virginia and Carolyn Ward of Sturgis, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beatrice (Coomer) Beard of Columbia, and one son, James Douglas (Doug) Beard of Louisville. A special nephew, Steve Coomer of Columbia and a special niece, Anjanette (Murphy) Volk, of Philpot, Kentucky; other nieces and nephews and a brother-in-law, Norman Coomer of Columbia, also survive.

He was retired from the Kentucky Department of Transportation where he worked for 24 years in the engineering division. Harry was a 14 year veteran of the United States Army serving in both post-World War II Europe and the Korean Conflict.

During his seven year tour in the European Command, he became an accomplished snow skier and spent many furloughs and holidays on the slopes; including winning an award in the downhill competition in the Olympic village of Lillehammer, Norway.

As a 19 year old driver for a US Army Colonel (Philpot), Harry attended sessions of the War Crime Trials at the Palace of Justice in Nuremburg. He had the unique experience of witnessing first-hand, the trial of members of the Third Reich that changed the course of the 20th century.

Harry was a member of the Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia, Kentucky. He and his wife were married in the Methodist Church in Columbia on October 14, 1955.

In addition to his love God and his family and friends, everyone associated with Harry knew that his other great passion in life was travel.

Harry and his wife were blessed to have traveled extensively across the United States. They also visited 31 countries across the globe and journeyed to all seven continents on the face of the earth. They traversed both the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.

They experienced "God's Wonderful Creation" together.

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 18, at 11:00 am at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 17, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the funeral home.

Reverend David Alexander and Reverend Richard Lowe will preside.

Interment will be in the Columbia City Cemetery.

Visitation : Wednesday after 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home

Services : Thursday 11:00 AM at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home

Interment : Columbia CemeteryN