Charles C. Beard

Charles Cleo Beard of Silver Cliff, Colorado, died October 15, 2020.

Charles was born in Fruita, Colorado on April 29, 1935, the first son of Irving C. and Dorothy E.(Raber) Beard. He graduated from Fruita High School and earned a degree in Agricultural Science from Colorado State University.

Charles served in the United States Army for 18 months, from January 1958 to December 1959 and then was in the Reserves until 1964. After returning to Colorado, he worked on the family sheep ranch with his father. On June 11, 1961, he married Shirley Ellen Kiddoo. They worked in partnership with his parents on the ranch until it was sold in 1975 and then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado.

In the following years, Charles worked in construction and transportation until he accepted a position with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and moved to Springfield, Colorado in 1991. A new position with the NRCS prompted a move to Silver Cliff, Colorado, where Charles retired in 2002.

Charles enjoyed marksmanship, travel, history and family genealogy. He was active in the Lion's Club, Rotary and VFW. He most recently moved to Skyline Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cañon City, Colorado due to failing health.

Charles is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Cheryl Burns of Keller, Texas, Sheila and Chauncey Latta of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Michael and Janet Beard of Ewing, New Jersey; grandchildren, Hunter and Ryan Latta,  Laura, Joshua, Noah, Hannah, and Daniel Beard. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Dorothy; brother, James and infant son, Melvin.

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