John Webster Beard, Jr.

John Webster Beard, Jr., 62, of Jonesboro, died Monday morning in Memphis.

Born in Little Rock, John was an All-American quarterback for Little Rock Hall High School where he graduated in 1962. He was a graduate of Arkansas State Teachers College (presently the University of Central Arkansas) where he played quarterback.

John served as an official starter for the Southeast Conference Womens Track and Field meets and in 1996 served as a track and field official in the Atlanta Olympics. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Mens Golf Association of the Jonesboro Country Club.

John was District Manager for Farmers Insurance Group and a member of First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.

Survivors include his wife: Jan Fulmer Beard of the home;

Son and daughter-in-law: John W. (Jay) and Stratton Beard of Germantown, Tennessee;

Daughter and son-in-law: Jennifer and Randy Pinson of Jonesboro;

His father and mother: John W., Sr. and Mary Alice Hall Beard of Little Rock;

1 Sister and brother-in-law: Jana and Blake Hendrix of Little Rock;

Sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Judy and Carroll Bates of Little Rock; and

4 Grandchildren: Kailey Pinson, Kody Pinson, Jack Beard and Camryn Beard;

2 nieces: Jill Courtney Bates and Allison Stodola, both of Little Rock; and

1 nephew: Jason Bates of New Orleans.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday afternoon, December 6, 2006, at 2:00 at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro with Rev. John Miles, Jr. officiating with Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro in charge of arrangements.

Honorary pallbearers include: Dr. Ladd Scriber, Lee Brun, Ben Hyneman, Larry Grisham, Tony Jackson, Jack Birchfield, Ben Brown, Dr. Ronnie Burnett, Skip Covington, Melvin McMasters, Carroll Bates and employees and associates of Farmers Insurance Group.

Visitation will follow the memorial service at the church.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401.