James Dennard Beard, 87, of Dawson passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Dawson Health and Rehabilitation. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2012 at Harvey Funeral Chapel with Rev. Eddie Braswell officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Beard was born in Morgan on January 25, 1925. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the Army Medical Corps. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Dawson United Methodist Church and the Berean Sunday School Class. He was a retired Service Manager with Dawson Motor Company.

Dennard was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Wade Beard and Nannie Maude Avery Beard; his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy Ferguson Beard; and two brothers, Willie Dean Beard and Bo Beard.

Survivors include sons, Reed Beard (Vicki) of Conyers and Kevin Beard (Tina) of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Jennifer Peets (Matt) of Leesburg, Kristen Lee of San Antonio, TX, Jason Beard (Katy) of New Britain, CT, Jennifer McCorkle (David) of Snellville, Lindsey Taylor (Justin) of Inman, SC, Chandler Beard (Lauren) of Charlotte, NC and Christina Beard of Greenville, SC; great-grandchildren, Davis Peets, Evan Peets, Bryce Swartout and Zander Lee; and sisters, Mavis Fulford, Lucille Rice and Mary Barfield.

Memorials may be made to the Dawson United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Dawson, GA 39842.