Gary Beard

Gary Don Beard was born in Bristow, Indiana (near Tell City) on March 25, 1938. He moved with his parents to Colorado Springs in 1950.

Gary graduated from Colorado Springs High School (now Palmer) in 1956 and immediately began undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He married Sharon Elaine Morton, in July of 1958, a union of 63 years that produced 3 daughters: Sherri Gaeta, Sheila Raines, and Shawna Weesner (Jonathan). The couple returned to Greeley where Gary was named the Top Performing Cadet of the ROTC program and was the first of his family to graduate college in the spring of 1960.

Gary and his young family moved to Mesa, AZ to attend pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, receiving his wings (pilot’s license) in 1962. He was assigned to fly for MAC (Military Airlift Command) and commandeered the cockpit of the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, informally referred to as “Old Shaky.” Gary accrued thousands of flight hours in this aircraft during trips flown to and from Viet Nam during the war, and thus secured a contract flying for United Airlines. The contract was rescinded due to early-onset arthritis that necessitated a work change.

Gary embarked on a 32-yearlong teaching and administrative career in District 11, serving at Howbert, Queen Palmer, Helen Hunt, Wilson, Longfellow, and Midland Elementary Schools. He served so long as the principal at Grant Elementary that parents occasionally called his residence, seeking to speak with “Dr. Grant.” He served as head of the Palmer Cluster, and at the Administration Building as the Director of Schools under Superintendent Kenneth Burnley. \

In February of 1993, Gary was selected as Colorado’s Principal of the Year and was honored to visit the White House during Clinton’s presidency. Along with the other 49 award recipients, he addressed trends and patterns in U.S. education and outlined his goals for future improvement and continued success in our country’s schools; our nation being the world’s first to implement a public, tax-supported system to educate its children. He retired in 1997, and took up golfing, boating, and traveling with Sharon in their motor home. He invested heavily in the practical, educational, and spiritual lives of his children and grandchildren.

The overarching theme of Gary’s life was honoring Christ in both his professional and personal life. Gary served as an elder in the Christian Church for 20 years in both Colorado and Arizona, and served on building committees in the construction of Academy Christian Church in Colorado Springs and the extension of Broadway Christian Church in Mesa, AZ. He spent portions of his time outside of work helping to improve Colorado Christian Service Camp in Como, Colorado and taught Sunday School classes for both children and adults.

Gary is survived by his wife and daughters and by 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him greatly. He has finished the course set before him, has kept the faith, and is enjoying his eternal reward. (2 Timothy 4-7.)