Laurence F. "Buck" Beard, 78, of Blessing was called home on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. He was born on January 11, 1934 in Turtle Bay, Matagorda County, Texas to the late John Lewis Beard & Edna D. Tweedle. Buck was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, and trapper. He loved John Wayne, Westerns, and old country music. He was an expert rifleman, and a life member of the NRA. Buck was loved by his family, friends, and all who knew him. He served his country in the aviation part of the U. S. Navy.

Buck is survived by his loving wife: Elizabeth Tumlinson Beard; former wife: Rebecca Beard.

Daughter: Iona Calhoun & husband Mark; son: John C. "Clicker" Beard; 2 step-daughters: Virginia Ashworth and Amber Glass; 14 grandchildren: Becca Wilder, Jonathan & Jeffrey Calhoun, Alexa, Jayden, & Haley Beard, Anthony Quijas, Jason Ashworth, Jeremy, Bradon, & James Schexnider, Karina Clements, Brittaney Davis, and Victoria Ashworth.

5 brothers & sisters: Audrey Geron, John L. Beard, Wm. Jackson Beard, Barbara Johnson, and Judy McCaskill; sister-in-law: Josephine Beard; 4 great grandchildren: Aiden Ibarra, Aubree Ibarra, Gavin Ashworth, and Aydn Ashworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson: Mark Calhoun Jr.; 3 brothers: Bobby, Luther, & Lewis Beard; and 5 sisters: Gladys, Mable, Lena, Ruth, and Irene.

Family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, December 23, 2012 at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Monday, December 24, 2012 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Bobby Jack Beard officiating.

Interment will be 2:00 PM Monday, December 24, 2012 at Slayden-Zumwalt Cemetery in Gonzales, Texas. Pallbearers will be: Anthony Quijas, Jeremy Schexnider, Jason Ashworth, Petty Officer Jonothan Neal, Chief Petty Officer Rebecca Wombwell, Sgt. Denver Beard, Darlene Wright, Joshua Neal, Tony Wells, and Rocky Quijas

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Matagorda Regional Medical Center Foundation or the charity of choice.