LAFAYETTE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette for Harold “Charlie” Charles Beard, 81, who died Friday, June 22, 2012 at Magnolia Estates Nursing Home in Lafayette.

Interment will follow in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette.

Rev. Father Gilbert J. Dutel, Pastor of St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church in Lafayette and Rev. Father Gary Schexnayder, Pastor of St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley will officiate.

Charlie was born Saturday, August 2, 1930 in Branch and was a lifetime resident of Acadiana. A proud veteran, he served as a EN-3 in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He retired after 40 years of dedicated service as a Pipe Line Supervisor for Columbia Gulf Transmission. Charlie was a parishioner of St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church in Lafayette.

Active in his community, Charlie was a member of the Naval Mine Warfare Association, a lifetime member of VFW Post 6720 and a member of The American Legion Post 0015 in Crowley. Charlie served aboard the USS LST 735 and the USS Triumph as a Mine Sweeper. He was awarded the Navy Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Award.

Mr. Beard is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Dona Jo Beard of Lafayette; his three sons, Patrick W. Beard and his wife, Bonnie of Troy, N.Y., Van E. Beard and his wife, Lisa of Winter Park, Fl. and James Beard of Youngsville; one daughter, Laurie A. Petro and her husband, Greg of Lafayette; one sister, Elizabeth “Sis” Gardiner and her husband, Tommy of Crowley; two brothers, Leonard R. Beard and his wife, Karen, also of Crowley and James Beard and his wife Ann, of McGehee, Ak.; five grandchildren; and numerous dear nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arville Beard and the former Ernestine Cart; two brothers, Hillery “Boo” Beard and Hershel Beard; one daughter-in-law, Kathy Beard; and one grandson, Steven Beard.

Visitation will be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and resumes Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 9 a.m. until time of services.

A rosary will be recited Tuesday evening, June 26, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the Fountain Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

Pallbearers will be Leonard R. Beard, Douglas Beard, Greg Petro, Lee Roy “Rod” King, Christopher Gardiner and Don Carter.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kemp Coreil, the staff of Hospice Compassus and Charlie’s caregivers, Louise Guidry and Mona and Norma Hooper for the compassionate care given to Charlie and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charlie’s name to the Tutwiler Clinic, a charity-based medical clinic for the poor that was special to Charlie, at POB 462, 205 Alma St., Tutwiler, MS, 38963-0462.

Online obituary and guestbook may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.

Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery of Lafayette, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.