Alva Review-Courier -

There will be a visitation with the family from 4 to 7 p.m., December 29, 2018, at a venue to be determined. You may call Michelle at 580 748-2241 for further information.

Philip Henry Beard, 74, died on December 12, 2018 in Oklahoma City. He was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on January 25, 1944, to James Charles Beard and Laverne Opal (Dowell) Beard.

Philip attended college and graduated with a master's degree; he married his wife Jennie Lee (Mills) Beard and just celebrated their 50th anniversary. The couple had four children.

Phillip was a U.S. Navy photographer for 13 years and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During his service, he did considerable photographic mapping of Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze. He even has a mountain named after him in Antarctica called Beard's Peak. Philip retired from teaching special education and pastored many churches in Oklahoma.

He enjoyed reading, fishing, camping, traveling, spending time with his grandkids, and his dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim, and his sister Arline.

Philip is survived by his wife Jennie and his children; daughters Michelle Jeffries and husband Kevin of Alva, Sarah Beard-Roeschley of Dallas, Texas, and sons James Beard of Oklahoma City, John Williams Beard and husband Joe of Oklahoma City, grandchildren; Brenen Hankins and wife Becky of Silver City, Breana Smith and husband Caleb of Alva, Brayden Jeffries of Alva, Brysen Jeffries of Alva, Helen Roeschley, Philip Roeschley, Penelope Roeschley, Greta Roeschley, Miriam Roeschley, all of Dallas, Texas, siblings; brother, Danny Baxter of Edmond, sister Louise Gilsrud of Montevideo, Minnesota, sister, Kathy Rogers of Enid; many nieces and nephews; and friends too numerous to mention.