James "Buddy" Stephen Beard

James Stephen (Buddy) Beard

Buddy was born October 23, 1948 in Madisonville. On May 9, 2016 in Asheville, NC, as Dr. Rebecca Mumpower and Nurse Stephanie held his hand, he peacefully passed away from a long fight with Ataxia.
Buddy is preceded in death by his father, Wallace Edward Beard, Sr. and his mother, Lela James Ferguson Beard.
Survived by two brothers, Wallace Edward Beard, Jr. (Shirley) and Joe Beard (Rhonda); one sister, Lisa Fowler; nieces and nephews, Anndy Garrison, Josh Evinger, Cameron Kim, Kirby, CJ, Paige, Amy Joe, Pryson, Shand Dunbar, Zac, Erin Dunbar Stevens, Leon Stevens, Dayton Dunbar, Eli, Rose, Flynn, Kai and Micah Fowler, Ann Mason Fowler Clawson, and Jens Christian Clawson.
Buddy attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School during his early years and graduated from Madisonville High School. Buddy was a devout Catholic. He went to Seminary in Louisville to become a Priest. Due to Ataxia affecting his speech, Buddy could not say the Latin Mass. He left the Seminary and went to Murray State University where he earned a Bachelor's degree. Buddy was always in the top percentile of his academic classes.
Buddy's major was Political Science until his senior year. He then developed an interest in drama as a result of his love for movies. One of his favorite things from his childhood was going to the Sunday matinee and then to the public library with his siblings. In his childhood Buddy loved to play military and strategic games; Risk, Chess, Battleship, etc. Buddy also had a passion for reading and building model ships. Being a military buff, Buddy took ROTC while at Murray.
After graduating from Murray State University, Buddy returned to Madisonville and started helping with the lighting of Madisonville's local performing arts. Being kind in nature and with a desire to help others, Buddy became a certified CNA. Buddy worked as a CNA at Regional Medical Hospital for twenty plus years before his Ataxia forced him to retire.
There will be a Mass with Buddy at Christ the King, Madisonville, at 4pm on Thursday with visitation from 6-7pm at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville. There will be private funeral and graveside services for the family Friday.
The pallbearers will be Andy Garrison, Cameron Beard, Eli Fowler, Leon Stevens, Josh Evinger, Ann Mason Clawson, and Kirby Beard.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to support Ataxia Research at Emory University conducted by Dr. Mahlon Delong and Dr. George Wilmot, III.
Please make you check out to Emory University /dept. of Neurology and note that it is in memory of James Beard and mail to Emory University attention Camile Sears, 1762 Clifton Rd. NE Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Buddy would like to thank the following:
Dr. Mahlon Delong and Dr. George Wilmot at Emory University Hospital for the unbelievable concern and care they gave me and for the deep brain stimulations. The Stimulators gave me years of quality life and even later quality by being able to talk and everyone being able to understand me.
Landstar for allowing my sister to move home and assist with taking care of me during my last years. Not many corporations show such concern and care for their employees as Landstar.
Dr. Hadera at Vanderbilt University Hospital for his help whenever I was in need.
Dr. Harshul Patel, Dr. Popescu, and Dr. Bunch for saving my life many times over the years.
Dr. Roy for making time and a place to take care of my teeth and preventative care.
Beck Jaggers for helping me.
Darlene Shoemaker for healing all of my sores that were gotten while at a Madisonville Nursing home when others said it couldn't be done.
Robin Lowe for always making me smile or laugh and taking such good care of me.
Dr. Rebecca Mumpower, Brand, Stephanie, Donna, Sara, Chelsea, and to my "village" for your help and love.
The family would like to thank the following:
All of the above.
The Mark of Distinction for their wonderful help and making Buddy smile at his Christmas decorations every year.
Phillip Gamblin for your help finding solutions when needed.
A.V. Conway, THANK YOU for slaying the dragon.