Thomas Edward Beard Sr., 85, of Hope Mills, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. He was born in Cumberland County on Sept. 4, 1937, to the late Paul Beard and Linda Lee (Bryant) Beard.
Thomas enlisted in the U.S. military in October 1963 and was honorably discharged in September 1965. He loved his country, the flag, tractors, celebrating the Fourth of July, antique shows, and tractor pulls. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger and was a friendly face for everyone and loved helping people. He served as a firefighter at the Fort Bragg Fire Department and later as a maintenance man at the Callahan Gym.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Dallas Beard; and his sister, Jeanette Beard.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Edward Beard Jr., and wife, Danielle, of Fayetteville; brother, Jimmy Beard of South Carolina; sister, Linda Faye Beard of Florida; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of friends and extended family members.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2023, at Cedar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, 4170 Tabor Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312 with minister James Blount officiating.
Arrangements for the family are entrusted to LaFayette Funeral Home of Fayetteville. Online condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com
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