Perry Neal Beard was born January 15, 1945 to Gus and Vergia Beard, the youngest of four children.  His brothers were Bob and Bill Beard, and sister, Shirley Beard Klaus.  He departed this life April 24, 2024 at the age of 79.

Perry was raised in the Oak Grove Community where he attended Oak Grove Elementary School for eight years.  Then he attended Drumright High School graduating with the class of 1963.  Perry married Margaret (Margie) Ishmael on January 3, 1965.  They have been married 59 years.

Perry served two years in the U.S. Army from August 1966 through August 1968.  He was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas during basic training, then transferred to Ft. Carson, Colorado for the remainder of his time.  Perry attained the rank of Spec. 5 in the Artillery Fire Direction Center for 155 Howitzers.  He also completed the Red Eye Gunner Course.

After his discharge from the Army, Perry and Margie moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma.  Perry was employed by Oklahoma Natural Gas Company in Tulsa, where he worked for 33 years beginning as a welder's helper, moving up to a class A welder.  He also became an industrial x-ray technician, a Master Line Stopper and tested company and contract welders for ONG.

Following retirement, Perry and Margie started Beard Testing, LLC, which is a mobile testing facility for testing pipeline welders for state certification as well testing contract welders for ONG, and various companies.  Perry also worked part time at Career Tech in Drumright where he did a hands-on class for tapping and plugging.

Perry and Margie have lived in the Drumright-Bristow area since 2000.  They spent a lot of time with their children and grandchildren, and liked to travel occasionally.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Beard; two sons, Philip Beard and wife, Kim, Shawn Beard and wife Bridget; grandchildren, Kayla Beard and fiancé, Corey French, Allyson Sisk and husband, Kyle, Elliot Beard and fiancé, Malachi Chronister, Noah Beard, Ethan Beard, Asher Beard, Macy Beard, and Ellery Beard.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Bill Beard, and one sister, Shirley Klaus.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2024, from 4:00-7:00PM, with the funeral being at 2:00PM, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Bristow First Baptist Church.  Interment will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Drumright, Oklahoma.