Mark Sanford Beard

BEARD -- Mark Sanford, born June 10, 1947, in Norman, OK, to Mildred Louise Patterson and Matthew X. Beard, Jr., died February 9, 2006 at his home in Tulsa, OK. Private family service Saturday, February 11, 2006, Family Harvest Fellowship Church, Broken Arrow, OK, Pastor Dan Miller officiating. In 1967, after graduating from Edison High School in Tulsa, Mark joined the United States Army where he served honorably until his discharge in 1974. Captain Mark Beard served his country in Germany, Vietnam and Thailand. He was "Outlaw 17" in the 175th Assault Helicopter Company and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Aviation Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Following his military career, Mark flew as a Commercial Pilot for Rio Airlines and then started his own contracting company, Capital Contractors, Inc., which he ran until his retirement. Survivors include his wife, Floy; sons, Derrick Sean Beard and Mark Ryan Beard and his wife, Kim; grandsons, Steven Sean Beard, Austin Dalton Beard; and granddaughter, Madison Nicole Beard, all of Tulsa; brothers, Curtis Lance Beard, his wife, Karen and John Kelley Beard, his wife, Pam; sister, Cynthia Ann Beard Miller; and numerous nephews and nieces. Service entrusted to AdamsCrest Cremation Center, Tulsa (918) 838-2110.