Joseph (Rick) Beard's Obituary
Winter Haven, FL-- Joseph Roderick Beard, Jr. (Rick) was born in Anderson, SC, July 26, 1955 and went to be with God on October 10, 2023 in Auburndale, FL, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House after a valiant two-year battle with cancer. Affectionately called Ricky until his professional career began, he was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and mentor to many. His dry wit, wonderful smile and twinkle in his eye endeared him to all. Many friends called Rick a ‘gentle giant’ because of his 6’6” stature and his always being a kind, honest gentleman.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Joseph Roderick Beard, Sr. and Margaret Ann Dusenberry Beard, a niece and a nephew. Rick is survived by his wife Julie Anne Janele of Winter Haven, FL, his five sisters and brothers-in-law: Ellen Beard Martin (Skeet), Ann Beard Shahid (Ron), Cherrie Beard Sneed (Dan), Ruth Beard Boetsch (Gary), and June Beard Copeland (Brent). He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews, their spouses, and by twenty-one great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife Julie’s brother (Lt. Col. James L. Janele) and sister (Jana Janele Wilson), their spouses, children and grandchildren.
Rick was a member of Young Memorial Reformed Presbyterian Church in Anderson where he was baptized. He and Julie were members of StoneCreek Church in Alpharetta, GA.
Rick attended schools in Anderson, SC. After completing diving school in Florida, he became an underwater construction diver in Charleston, SC where he developed a lifelong love of scuba diving. He worked for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department as an investigator for the Public Defender before attending Erskine College, Due West, SC where he graduated in 1980 with a degree in Business and Economics. While at Erskine, Rick was president of the Philomathean Literary Society. Upon graduation, Rick began his career in the flooring industry where he excelled in sales and management, often winning regional and national awards as Salesman of the Year while working for Milliken Industries, Mannington Flooring, and Karndean Design Flooring. His career centered around Aiken, SC, Philadelphia, PA, New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta/Alpharetta, GA.
Rick met his loving and devoted wife, Julie Anne Janele, in Alpharetta, GA where they were married in 2008. Rick continued to play tennis avidly as a member of ALTA in Atlanta. In 2019, they retired to Winter Haven, FL where they resided and were active in the Lake Ashton Community. Amongst other activities, Rick was a member of both the Lake Ashton Republican Club and the Cigar Club of Lake Ashton. Julie continues to reside in the home they built together in Lake Ashton.
A celebration of life will be held in the Lake Ashton Community and a graveside service and interment will take place in the Beard family burial site at Huntersville ARP Church, Huntersville, NC at 2PM Saturday, April 27 with Pastor Nick Napier officiating.
Memorials may be made directly to Good Shepherd Hospice House, 450 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33830. Please note on your memorial check, in the Memo area, that your donation is on behalf of Joseph (Rick) Beard.
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