Larry J. Beard 71 died Friday March 27 2015 at his residence on Nance Street in Newberry. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM Tuesday March 31 2015 in West End Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Timothy Thompson. Visitation will following the service in the sanctuary of the church Larry was born in Columbia on June 28 1943 the oldest son of the late James L. Beard and Emmie Harmon Beard Bannister. He grew up in Newberry graduated from Newberry High School and married a Newberry girl Carleen Swindell. Together they raised two children Carla and Don. He was a member of West End Baptist Church. Larry joined the SC National Guard serving for 6 years. His work experience included being the Assistant Supervisor of the Press Department for the Newberry Publishing Company (Newberry Observer) and later working as a Lieutenant of Security for Newberry College. He enjoyed stock car racing and especially the times he experienced watching his son race. His family was everything to him his heart loved each of them deeply. Larry is survived by his wife of 50 years Carleen Swindell Beard; children Carla Beard Lindler (Paul Edward) of Chapin and Don Beard (B.J.) of Newberry; grandchildren Amanda Jewel Lindler Andrew Darr Lindler; Amber Jewell Beard Andrew Larkin Beard and Landen Taylor; great-grandchildren Lia and Jaclyn Clark; siblings Steve Beard (Heather) of Prosperity and Jeannie Beard Derrick (Alex) of Chapin; aunts and uncles Gary Lee Harmon (Carolyn) Dorothy Davis all of Newberry and Patsy Miller; a brother in law Jimmy Swindell (Nancy) of Neptune Beach FL; and nieces and nephews. Pallbearers for Larry will be Kevin Fulmer Tyler Mills Kory Fulmer and Paul Edward Lindler. Memorials are suggested to West End Baptist Church 617 Main St. Newberry SC 29108. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family.