Born Sept. 30, 1923, in Ruston, Louisiana, to Edgar Bert Beard and Lela Mae Beard. Jack Beard grew up in Homer, Louisiana. A World War II veteran, Jack served in the US Army Air Corps and was stationed in North Africa and the Middle East. After the war, Jack enrolled in the art department at Louisiana Tech where he met and married Emma Lou.Jack was a well-respected art professor at Louisiana Tech from 1963 to 1984. After retiring from Louisiana Tech, Jack served on the Police Jury for 24 years, eight of which he served as President. During his tenure on the Police Jury, he worked to establish the Lincoln Parish Park, renovate the Lincoln Parish Library, and spearheaded efforts to save the Sparta Aquifer.As a faithful follower of Christ, he has been a member of the Temple Baptist Church since 1969. He was an ordained deacon. One of his favorite pastimes was drinking coffee with his friends at the bank.Preceded in death by his parents and brother Lehman Beard. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Emma Lou Borland Beard; his daughter Rebecca Pendergrass (Roy), and son Jon Beard (Marla); grandchildren: Laura Pendergrass, Emily Pendergrass, Peyton Beard (Jessica), Aubrey Beard, and Forrest Beard.Visitation with the family to celebrate the life of Jack Beard will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Monday, March 6, 2017, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. The funeral service will be held at Temple Baptist Church at 2:00pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Jack passed away on March 4, 2017, at the age of 93 and will be buried in a private family graveside service.Pallbearers will be Bill Cox, James, Davison, Richard Durrett, Dan Hollingsworth, Ted McKinney, and Jerry Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Lynn Hawkins and Billy Jack Talton.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lincoln Parish Library.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com