John Hayden Beard

John Hayden Beard

SALISBURY - Mr. John Hayden Beard, age 79, of Salisbury, died on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Born in Salisbury on July 4, 1927, he was the son of the late Mildred Patterson Beard and Bryce Parker Beard, Sr. Mr. Beard was a graduate of Georgia Military Academy, and attended Catawba College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after serving in the U.S. Navy during post WWII.

Upon returning to Salisbury, he worked for the family business, and served as President and CEO for Taylor Manufacturing Co. from 1968 until it was sold to Litton Industries in 1983. Mr. Beard was a lifetime member of the Rotary Club of Salisbury and the Elks Lodge of Salisbury.

Mr. Beard was very active in the Rowan County historic preservation efforts, especially pertaining to the Grimes Mill project and the Old Lutheran Cemetery Restoration. He had a keen interest in the preservation of Gold Hill and donated mining artifacts for a future museum. Mr. Beard's most recent endeavor concerned helping make possible the rebuilding of the petting barn at Dan Nicholas Park.

Mr. Beard was preceded in death by his wife Francoise Graf Beard who died November 22, 1978. Two brothers, Bryce Parker Beard, Jr and Rufus Morehead Beard also preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters, Christiana Graf Beard and Germaine Beard Whitaker and her husband, Bob of Salisbury. A brother, Alexander Patterson Beard and his wife Patsy Arey Beard of Salisbury, and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Richardson and her husband, Dean of Sparta, NC also survive him as well as four grandchildren: Stefan Beard Wilson, Hayden Francoise Henderson, Robert Lewis Whitaker, and John Edward Whitaker; and three great-grandchildren.

The family will see friends from 2-3 PM Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at Summersett Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday at Summersett Memorial Chapel with the Dr. Kenneth Lance, Minister of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery. The family will be at the home: 106 Travis Lane, Salisbury at other times.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Dan Nicholas Park 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. Salisbury, NC 28146; The Salvation Army PO Box 625 Salisbury, NC 28145; The Rowan Museum 202 North Main St. Salisbury, NC 28144; or to the charity of your choice.