Jesse "Jess" Marion Beard

Jesse Beard, "Jess", 97, longtime resident of Farmington, NM passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jess was born August 30, 1922 near Santa Fe, NM.  There, he married his high school sweetheart, Marliette.  They were married nearly 75 years before her passing in 2015.

During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic. Years later, in private life, Jess restored and piloted antique airplanes.  His award winning restorations were admired by pilots and pilot associations across the United States.  As a licensed sheet metal contractor, he established a Farmington heating and air conditioning business.  He owned and operated the business for many decades, until retirement.

Jess was an active member and past officer of Rotary International and was proud of having had perfect attendance to their weekly meetings for 50+ years.  He received honor by the Rotary Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellow.  For many years, as a volunteer, Jess sold popcorn at the Connie Mack World Series to benefit the Rotary Foundation.   He was also a bell ringer for the Salvation Army manning Christmas donation pots outside grocery stores, in freezing cold even in his 80s. Jess also enjoyed physical pursuits.  In 1939, at age 16, he rode his bicycle from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. For many years he rode a tandem bicycle with family and friends, built and rode a unicycle, and ran marathons until he was 70.

He will be remembered by his many friends for his exceptional life, fine craftsmanship of airplane restorations, sense of humor, his curiosity and respect of all cultures, and most of all---his kind, sweet spirit.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marliette; and their eldest daughter, Janet. He is survived by his son, Jim Beard and wife, Jan; daughter, Joanne Dennett and husband, Mike; granddaughters, Dawnette Shull, Theresa Beard, and Debbie Winkleman and many grandchildren. A Memorial Service for Jess will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.at First Presbyterian Church, 865 N Dustin Ave, Farmington, NM.  In lieu of flowers donations made be made to the Alzheimer's Association.