Malcolm Elmore Beard

BEARD, Malcolm, 99, passed away January 3, 2019. He was born in Moultrie, GA and was a resident of Hillsborough County since 1924. He is survived by his son, Thomas Beard (Joyce), of Tampa; two nephews, John and Dan Griffin from Palm Beach County and a niece, Sue Turner of Jacksonville, Fl. He has three grandchildren, Kenneth Beard (Megan), Jacqueline Marshall (Douglas), both of Tampa, Jordan Touchstone (Kerry) of Lake Butler, step grandson, Brian Easley (Lynn) of Auburndale, and step granddaughters Christina Farrier (Jeff) of Palm Harbor and Carrie Rozmeski of Wesley Chapel, as well as ten great-grand children (Kylie & Malcolm, Jaylen & Myla, Kanten & Avery, Elize, Adeline & Alexander, and Emma). He was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 70 years, Mary Ellen, daughter, Barbara Mullins and sister Bernice Griffin. He attended public schools in Tampa where he was president of his graduating high school class and a charter member of the Hillsborough High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended and later received a Doctor of Public Service from the University of Tampa. He served as a Navy Sea Bee during World War II in the Pacific. He served in the Tampa Police Department rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant. He next worked for Paul Johnson as an investigator for the County Solicitor's Office before being appointed by Governor Leroy Collins as Supervisor for the West Coast District of the State Beverage Department. He was appointed Tampa Chief of Police by Mayor J.L. Young. During this time, he served as the president of the Florida FBI National Academy Associates. He left that office to run for Constable which he won and then served for two terms. While in office as Constable, he served as president of the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association of Florida. He then ran and was elected Sheriff of Hillsborough County where he served for 14 years. During that time, he served as President of the Florida Sheriff's Association, and as Past State Director of the National Sheriff's Association. He was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives for two years and then was elected and served for 16 years as a member of the Florida State Senate. His assignments included serving as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, member of Ways and Means, Rules and Calendar, Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunities and Regulated Industries. He was considered the "father" of the Florida Transportation Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation Office, District 7 is named in his honor. He retired as President Pro-tem of the Florida Senate in 1996. He was a recipient of many recognitions and awards, to include the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) Transportation Award, Governor's Medal in 1967, Silver Medallion Award from the National Council of Christians and Jews, Black Community Professional Award, Greater Brandon Community Leadership Award, Jaycees Award for Good Government, Hillsborough County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Optimist International Florida District Law Enforcement Award and many others. He was past president of the Shiners' Honor Patrol, and past director of the Royal Order of Jester, Court 89.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00am at the Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E. Lake Ave, Tampa, FL, preceded by a 9:30am visitation. The graveside interment at Garden of Memories will be for family members only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches at www.youthranches.org