THOMAS ARLYN BEARD, 77, of South Point, OH, husband of Pricilla Leighty Beard, passed away due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease at the Emogene Dolin-Jones Hospice House in Huntington on Friday, October 28, 2011. He was born on May 22, 1934 in Chesapeake, OH, a son of the late Gilbert and Fern Whitehead Beard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Annie Beard and Jan Fisher. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter, Lisa (Henry) Cooke; sisters Gilberta Ferguson, Jane Tyree, Sally (Bert) Lester, Judy (Jim) Gibson; brother, Charles (Donna) Beard; grandchildren, Gus (Chandra) Cooke, Becky Fisher and Bethany Cooke; great-grandchildren, Kacie Mendez and August Cooke; special friends, Vernon and Delkenia Mills; and his special furry friend, Shep. Mr. Beard was a teacher and administrator in the South Point School District for many years. He was the long-time announcer for South Point sports and Special Olympics, for which he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award. He was also responsible for starting the girls track program in Lawrence County, OH and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Huntington where he was a member of the choir. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Beard Mortuary, Huntington, with Rev. Paul Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in South Point, OH. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6-8 PM at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to the Emogene Dolin-Jones Hospice House in Huntington, WV.