NATHANIEL GERALD BEARD

1926-2021

Nathaniel Gerald Beard, who has resided in Houston the last 50 years, died from old age on January 7, 2021. He was 3 months short of his 95th birthday. Gerald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 13, 1926, to Martha Euola Jarrell and Nathaniel Austin Beard. His early years were spent in Laredo, Fort Worth, and Henderson, Texas. After high school he began college studies for a year before volunteering for the Navy. After WWII ended in Europe, he returned to UT Austin in the Navy ROTC program. He graduated with a BBA and BS in Naval Science in 1947. He remained in the Naval reserves as a Lieutenant for more than 20 years.

Gerald started work for Stanolind Oil and Gas in High Island and Anahuac, Texas. It was in this last location where he met Vida Stephenson, who would become his wife in October 1953. They lived in Victoria, Texas where he first worked in insurance and later for Tube-Kote. He switched to Plastic Applicators Inc. in 1956 and worked in Corpus Christi, Houston, New Orleans, and Houston again, until 1972. Gerald founded Tube-Alloy Corporation in 1971 but remained a part timer until 1977. During this period his main work was as general manager and later VP of Custom Pipe Coating in Houston.

In 1977 Gerald began full time work at Tube-Alloy, where he spent many productive years until retirement in 2004. Gerald was justifiably proud of his work during this period and has very many friends and coworkers from all of his working career.

Gerald Beard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Vida Stephenson Beard. They have 3 children, Bradley Beard, Warren Beard, and Julie Beard Borgan. In addition, they have 4 grandchildren, Caroline Borgan, Zachary Borgan, Nathaniel Beard, and Anne Beard. Burial will be at a later date at the National Cemetery in Houston and a memorial service will be held when the corona virus restrictions allow. A more detailed obituary can be found at the Neptune Society’s website, www.neptunesociety.com.