Dr. John Wilson Beard Jr., 61, of Cowen, WV, formerly of Lewisburg, WV, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea, WV.
Born April 20, 1955, in Clifton Forge, VA, he was a son of John Wilson Beard Sr. and Doris Ann Bostic Beard.
He was known to some as John or Jack and others simply as Dr. Beard. He was a 1973 graduate of Greenbrier East High School in Fairlea and a 1993 graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV. He served mainly as an emergency room physician, having worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Richwood, WV, and Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in Marlinton, WV. He also worked at Quick Care Clinic in Washington, WV. He loved his wife, Amy. He also loved his son, Casey, very much and worked diligently to teach him to respect and care for others – something he practiced tirelessly. Jack had an uncommon ability to recall people, event dates, times, and locations. He loved to reminisce about his younger years. Jack was a self-taught guitarist and was also a great cook.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Amy Bailey Beard in 2015.
Surviving are his son, Casey Benjamin Beard of Craigsville, WV; brothers, Stewart Beard and wife, Brenda, of Ronceverte, WV, and Charles Douglas “Doug” Beard of Caldwell, WV; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eddie and Beth Bailey of Craigsville, who are raising Casey; niece, Jessica Knight and husband, Rob, and their children, Jonathan and Sophie, of Charlottseville, VA; nephews, John D. Beard of Ronceverte, Nicholas Beard, currently working in China, and Matthew Beard, currently attending WVU; and countless friends.
Tentatively, a celebration of Jack’s life will be held at his favorite location, Shelter #1 at Greenbrier State Forest in Harts Run, WV, on Saturday, November 19, 2016. Attendees are to gather with family and friends at 11 AM and are to bring chairs.
The family requests no flowers, but rather a contribution in Jack’s memory be made to Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Avenue, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be interred beside his parents in Riverview Cemetery in Ronceverte.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the October 21, 2016, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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