Howard James Beard

Howard James Beard, 69, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in a local care facility following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, with Chaplain Sullivan Turner officiating. Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until service time.

Interment will follow the services at 3 p.m. in Oaklawn Cemetery in Welsh.

A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Howard was born to Floyd and Wavelyn Slocum Beard and graduated from LaGrange High School in 1971. He earned his associate’s degree in engineering technology from McNeese State University.

Howard was an electrician for Spectra Energy for 33 years, retiring in 2011. He was a consultant for Spectra for two additional years, completely retiring in 2013.

Howard was a family man whose greatest delight and satisfaction were the hours spent in the garage with his son, restoring classic antique cars and trucks, several of which won titles in area car shows. Howard was also a quiet man, honorable in his dealings and admired and respected by those who knew him. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Welsh.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 45 years, Molly Todd Beard; his son, Brady Todd Beard and wife Lauren and brother Floyd Beard and wife Cathy, all of Lake Charles. He is also survived by his beloved mother-in-law, Shirley Todd of Welsh, brothers-in-law Robert Bertrand of Lake Charles and Kyle Todd of Welsh, three nieces, three nephews and one great-nephew.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Trudy Bertrand and by his father-in-law, Gene Todd, who loved Howard as a son.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation to the doctors and staff of Calcasieu Community Care Center and Harbor Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given their beloved Howard during his illness, as well as for the understanding and never-ending empathy shown his wife and son and daughter-in-law, and to Terri Todd, sister-in-law, who played a huge and loving part in helping Molly with matters of all concern regarding Howard.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 305 West Hudspeth Street, Welsh, LA 70591.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.