Henry Beard, born July 10th, 19341
in Arkansas,2
was a Negro baseball player in 1954.
Biography
Beard played with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1954.3 He later played football at Colorado State.4
Beard died on July 7th, 1970.5 6 He was buried in Robinson Cemetery in Conway, AR.7
Excerpts
"Beard hails from Conway, Ark., and is only 19 years old. He weighs 173 pounds and stands 5 feet 11 inches in height. Beard has been doing the catching along with Piggy Sands after after Juan Armenteros, regular receiver, was sidelines with a finger injury."8
"A newcomer has been added to the [Colorado State] Bear backfield, Henry Beard of Conway, Ark., a 5-10, 185-pound speedster who has been working out with the first-string backfield after arriving here late last week. Beard, Negro Class AA all-stater halfback and fullback for three years, is the fastest man on the squad, and is expected to provide more breakaway potential for the team. He is tabbed for heavy duty, if not this week, soon."9
"Henry Beard, aged 35, of 1260 Hawkrider Street, Conway, died Tuesday. Survivors are three sons, Debrie Jimmy and Loyd Dean Beard on Conway, four daughters, Misses Sheila, Tammy, Judy and Wanda Jean Beard of Conway; his mother, Mr. Rachel Harris of Conway, and a brother, Wilbert Dickerson of Conway. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ruffin and Jarrett."10
"Funeral for Henry Beard, aged 35, of Conway, who died Tuesday will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Saint James CME Church at Conway by Rev. John Rodgers. Burial will be at Robinson Cemetery by Ruffin & Jarrett."11
"Two weeks ago, the Arkansas Sports Club honored Henry Beard of Pine Street High School. In 1953 Henry Beard, a senior outstanding full back for Pine Street Polar Bears, help win 1953 state Championship and scored over 100 points his senior season. He was a gifted athlete, a good leader in high school, and left Conway to play college football at Colorado State. He joined the military and saw action in the Korean War after two years of College. He returned to play in the Negro Baseball League with Kansas City Monarchs. He was a catcher and caught the great Satchel Paige. He married and they had seven children, most living in Central Arkansas. I have met two of his sons. He passed away at 35 years of age. Elijah Pitts was a member of the 1953 Team. Many people in Conway remember Henry Beard, the team and the young men he played with at Pine Street High School. We all know people that have made a good mark and remember the kind of people they were and the positive impact they had on others. After 62 years, Henry Beard is still remembered."12
Biography
Beard played with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1954.3 He later played football at Colorado State.4
Beard died on July 7th, 1970.5 6 He was buried in Robinson Cemetery in Conway, AR.7
Excerpts
"Beard hails from Conway, Ark., and is only 19 years old. He weighs 173 pounds and stands 5 feet 11 inches in height. Beard has been doing the catching along with Piggy Sands after after Juan Armenteros, regular receiver, was sidelines with a finger injury."8
"A newcomer has been added to the [Colorado State] Bear backfield, Henry Beard of Conway, Ark., a 5-10, 185-pound speedster who has been working out with the first-string backfield after arriving here late last week. Beard, Negro Class AA all-stater halfback and fullback for three years, is the fastest man on the squad, and is expected to provide more breakaway potential for the team. He is tabbed for heavy duty, if not this week, soon."9
"Henry Beard, aged 35, of 1260 Hawkrider Street, Conway, died Tuesday. Survivors are three sons, Debrie Jimmy and Loyd Dean Beard on Conway, four daughters, Misses Sheila, Tammy, Judy and Wanda Jean Beard of Conway; his mother, Mr. Rachel Harris of Conway, and a brother, Wilbert Dickerson of Conway. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ruffin and Jarrett."10
"Funeral for Henry Beard, aged 35, of Conway, who died Tuesday will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Saint James CME Church at Conway by Rev. John Rodgers. Burial will be at Robinson Cemetery by Ruffin & Jarrett."11
"Two weeks ago, the Arkansas Sports Club honored Henry Beard of Pine Street High School. In 1953 Henry Beard, a senior outstanding full back for Pine Street Polar Bears, help win 1953 state Championship and scored over 100 points his senior season. He was a gifted athlete, a good leader in high school, and left Conway to play college football at Colorado State. He joined the military and saw action in the Korean War after two years of College. He returned to play in the Negro Baseball League with Kansas City Monarchs. He was a catcher and caught the great Satchel Paige. He married and they had seven children, most living in Central Arkansas. I have met two of his sons. He passed away at 35 years of age. Elijah Pitts was a member of the 1953 Team. Many people in Conway remember Henry Beard, the team and the young men he played with at Pine Street High School. We all know people that have made a good mark and remember the kind of people they were and the positive impact they had on others. After 62 years, Henry Beard is still remembered."12
3
Chicago Defender, 6/12/1954
6
Arkansas Gazette, 7/8/1970
7
Arkansas Gazette, 7/9/1970
8
Chicago Defender, 6/12/1954
10
Arkansas Gazette, 7/8/1970
11
Arkansas Gazette, 7/9/1970
12
Log Cabin Democrat (Conway, AR), 7/4/2015