Arthur Beard

Arthur Beard was born on July 29, 1970, in Murray, Utah, to Rosalie Yvonne Beard and Richard Beard. From a young age, Arthur brought joy and humor to those around him, marked by curiosity and a sense of wonder that stayed with him throughout his life.

He grew up surrounded by family, including his siblings Wendy, Laurie, Nancy, Tamara, Paul, and Linda. The family grew up going on trips to Little Sahara, Canyonlands National Park, Redfish Lake, the head of the Green River, and the Beard family cabin in Island Park, Idaho. Alongside his siblings he participated in community projects, including helping raise funds with a money tree for the Jordan River Temple.

Arthur’s childhood was full of energy and mischief too, like breaking a bone in his hand that left him in a cast for nine months and later a bike accident which gave him six stitches and a tetanus shot. Many more stories of him getting into trouble became known family lore. He was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 5, 1978, later became a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1983, following in his father’s footsteps.

In junior high, Arthur learned to play the saxophone and played soccer. During high school, he discovered what would become his lifelong passion: automobiles. He studied auto mechanics and won the Plymouth Troubleshooting Contest. He bought his father’s 1967 Dodge Coronet, a car he loved deeply and never let go of, and spent many hours working on it, racing it, and enjoying the freedom cars gave him.

He was even found doing burnouts in the Coronet with his friend Ricardo. His father had to step in to take measures against Arthur goofing off, and shot one of the tires out with his shotgun. Arthur loved doing stupid things in cars, including using his demolition derby car to take down a fence his mother wanted gone.

Automobiles were more than a hobby for Arthur. They were his craft, his language, and the way he expressed himself. He loved working with his hands, repairing and modifying vehicles, and later autocrossing. His knowledge was vast and his pride in his work was unmistakable.

After high school, Arthur married, welcomed his daughter Victoria, and later his son Austin. He also bought his iconic 1996 red Ford Bronco which he adored. In 2000, he married Cindee, becoming a father to a blended family of 5 children 5 years old and under. That included Natalie, Alex, Brendan, as well as Victoria and Austin.

As a father, Arthur shared his passion for cars with his children, involving them in projects like the “Sho-ble,” a Mercury Sable with a Taurus SHO engine. He was delighted by the surprise of a car that looked like an ordinary sedan but could outrun most others on the road. His love for the SHO motor led to lifelong friendships and success racing with the Sports Car Club of America, where he earned numerous trophies.

Shortly after, his daughter Emily was born and became the anchor that tied his blended family together.

At home, Arthur found joy in simpler pleasures. He loved animals, old movies, classic television shows, classic rock, and family road trips to places like Yellowstone, the sand dunes, Disneyland, and long drives to pick up car parts. His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, a time centered on family and comfort, and he was especially fond of pumpkin pie, often enjoying an entire pie himself over the holiday weekend. Lots of whipped cream topping on the pie, of course.

Arthur was sealed to his wife Cindee, Victoria, Alex, and Emily in the Salt Lake City Temple on his thirteenth wedding anniversary. Later in life, he moved to Southern Nevada with some of the family, while still returning to Utah for important moments, including weddings. He was able to see his daughter Victoria married in the temple and proudly walked his son Alex down the aisle.

Professionally, Arthur spent over 30 years working in dealerships and independent repair shops before finding deep fulfillment at Firetrucks Unlimited, where he worked on fire trucks and ambulances. It was a job he was truly proud of and reflected his belief in craftsmanship and helping others.

After Arthur divorced from his second wife, he remained connected to his children. He would make the occasional trip to Utah to visit them in addition to his granddaughter Valerie.

On January 4, 2026, Arthur was tragically killed in an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver. In death, as in life, he gave generously. As an organ donor, he gifted his lungs, kidneys, and liver, offering others the chance at continued life.

Arthur was a complicated, stubborn, goofy, and deeply human man. He showed love in unconventional ways: outdated jokes, random humor, burned pizzas, simple greetings of “What doing?”, riddles recited for laughs, and thoughtful gestures that only made sense once you understood him. If he worked on your car, especially for a discount, you knew you were loved.

He joins his father, Richard Beard, who passed in 2005. He is survived by his mother Rosalie; his siblings Wendy, Laurie, Nancy, Tamara, Paul, and Linda; his children Natalie, Victoria, Alex, Brendan, Austin, and Emily; and his grandchildren Valerie and Leon.

Arthur will be remembered for the life he lived, the passions that defined him, and the love he held for his family. Our collective grief is proof that love existed. In the empty space that he left behind, we are able to notice the love that rushes in to fill it. Through his children, his grandchildren, his work, and the stories shared, his presence continues.

Speed safely, Dad.