Donald Beard

Donald Lee Beard, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 20, 2018, at the Lutheran Home after a courageous fight with cancer, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 15, 1946, in Cape Girardeau to William R. and Juliene C. Brinkopf Beard. He married Patricia Kurre Rothe on Dec. 28, 2006.

He attended Trinity Lutheran School through eighth grade and then attended Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he graduated in 1964.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was baptized Sept.8, 1946. He confessed his faith in the rite of confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau on April 10, 1960.

He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Marketing Management.

He operated Beard's Sports Shop with his parents, William and Juliene Beard, and brother, Daniel. The store closed in 2002 after 40 years in business on Broadway. He was later employed at Elias Ace Hardware in Cape Girardeau.

In 2017, he was inducted into the Cape Girardeau Central High School Hall of Fame as a member of the 1962 Tigers football team. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Patti Beard of Cape Girardeau; mother of his children, Mary Langston of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Daniel Beard (Debbie) of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Jason Beard and Jeffrey Beard (Charlsie Hethershaw) of Cape Girardeau; three stepsons, Eric Rothe of The Woodlands, Texas, Ben Rothe (Rachel) of Spring, Texas, and Daniel Rothe (Angela) of Coppell, Texas; three grandchildren, Jamie Sharkey, Sarah Rothe and Abraham Rothe; several nephews and nieces, including Brian Beard (Anna-Marie) of Ironton, Missouri, and Laura Beard Foster (Ben) of Campbell, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Juliene Beard.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Douglas Breite and the Rev. Daniel Maske officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran School Foundation or Cape Girardeau Central High School Athletics.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.