Glenn Gene Beard

Longtime Abilene businessman, Glenn G. Beard, 90, passed away on March 21, 2018, surrounded by his family. Glenn was born in Beggs, Oklahoma to John Russell Beard and Minnie Taber Beard on February 18, 1928. The family soon moved to West Texas and he graduated from Kermit High School in 1945. He attended Texas A&M College and lettered in football as a freshman before transferring to Sul Ross State Teachers College, where he was a Little All-American in football and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. in biology and agricultural economics. Foregoing an offer to play professional football for the Cleveland Browns, Glenn accepted a job with the Sweetwater ISD, teaching mathematics and coaching football, basketball and track. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the USAF. Piloting an F-84 Thunder Jet, Glenn flew numerous combat missions and received various merit citations. After the war ended, he remained in the USAF as a pilot in the Strategic Air Command. In 1957, Glenn began a lengthy career as a businessman. He worked for New York Life, Great National Life, and was ultimately self-employed as an independent insurance agent. Obtaining both his CLU and his CPCU certifications, he became one of a small group of insurance agents nationwide who held both designations. He was a perennial member of the Million Dollar Round Table. In addition to his insurance activities, Glenn was a member of the Citizens National Bank board, the Security State Bank board and the Abilene Aero board. Throughout his career, he served on numerous civic and philanthropic boards. He's survived by his wife of 64 years, Joy; his daughter and son-in-law, Glenajo and Mark Shambeck of Rockwall; his son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Jane Beard of Abilene; and grandchildren, Lauren Shambeck, Sterling Beard, Amanda Shambeck White (and husband, Weston), Hudson Beard and Faith Shambeck. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, TX 79605, the Abilene Alzheimer's Association, 301 South Pioneer Dr., Suite 105, Abilene, TX 79605, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Following a private memorial service, the family will receive friends at a visitation at 1:30 PM on Saturday, March 24, at the Abilene Country Club.