Byron Dean Beard

Byron Dean Beard was born on September 18,1948 in Kansas City, Missouri at St. Vincent's Hospital to parents Mary Jane (Davis) Beard and Dean Israel Beard. He graduated from East High School in Kansas City in 1966, and then from Pittsburg State University in 1970. 

He married Susan Mefford on January 8, 1972. Together they raised a daughter and a son, primarily in the Kansas City metro, but they did live in Cary, North Carolina from 1983 to 1990. Byron spent a large portion of his career working for Western Auto, and stayed mostly in the auto parts retail management industry, eventually retiring from Tires Plus in 2015. 

Byron was a golfer and enjoyed playing pool and bowling in his early years; he played basketball for his high school team. He was fascinated with computers from their inception and always had technology at home to use. He was a car guy and loved driving. He kept busy in retirement with various woodworking projects. He cheered for the Chiefs, but he was an even bigger fan of Royals baseball, just like his dad. 

He was the kindest man, without a single mean bone in his body. He would go out of his way to help anyone and could fix nearly anything. He was quiet and loving and immensely proud of his children and granddaughter. 

He passed away on April 21, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years Susan (Mefford) Beard, daughter Tacey Lynn Beard, son Richard Dean Beard, granddaughter Moira Kathleen Mullen, his brother Roger Beard and husband Jerry Bray, and many cousins and extended family. The family hopes to hold a gathering to celebrate Byron’s memory sometime later this year.