Dr. John Wilson Beard, Jr., age 61, of Cowen, formerly of Lewisburg, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea. Born April 20, 1955, at Clifton Forge, Virginia, he was a son of the late John Wilson Beard, Sr., and Doris Ann Bostic Beard. Known to some as John or Jack and others as Dr. Beard, he was a 1973 graduate of Greenbrier East High School, and a 1993 graduate of WVSOM. He served mainly as an emergency room physician, having worked at Scared Heart Hospital in Richwood and Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in Buckeye. He also worked at Quick Care Clinic in Washington. He loved his wife, Amy, and his son, Casey, very much. He worked diligently to teach his son to respect people and care for others, something he tirelessly practiced. Jack had an uncommon ability to recall people, event dates, times and locations. He loved to reminisce about his younger years. He was a self-taught guitarist and a great cook. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Amy Bailey Beard in 2015. He is survived by his son, Casey Benjamin Beard, of Craigsville; brothers, Stewart Beard, and wife, Brenda, of Ronceverte, and Charles Douglas “Doug” Beard, of Caldwell; father and mother-in-law, Eddie and Beth Bailey, of Craigsville, who are raising Casey; niece Jessica Knight, and husband, Rob, and their children, Jonathan and Sophie, all of Charlottesville, Virginia; ne-phews, John D. Beard, of Ronceverte, Nicholas Beard, currently working in China, and Matthew Beard, a student at WVU; and many friends. Per his wishes, the body was cremated and interred beside his parents in the Riverview Cemetery in Ronceverte. A Celebration of Life is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 11 a.m. at Jack's favorite location, Shelter #1 at Greenbrier State Forest in Harts Run. Gather with family and friends and bring a chair. Memorials in Jack’s name may be made to Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Avenue, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Online condolences may be made at www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
