James Beard

James Beard, former Lab employee, died May 31 at his Stockton home. He was 85.

Beard was born in Topeka, Kan. on Sept. 13, 1922, and lived in Tracy from 1957 to 1974. During that time, he ran for the City Council in 1964 and was involved in many local activities. He worked as a construction coordinator in the building and alteration field at the Lab for 39 years. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He belonged to several organizations, including the Stockton Scottish Rite Bodies, Legion of Honor, Royal Order of Scotland, the California State Retirees Association and was past president of the San Joaquin Shrine Club.

Beard is survived by his wife, Billie Beard of Stockton; children, John Michael Beard of Hawaii; Jamea Lois Holcomb and her husband, Dan, of Ripon and Wanda Russell, and her husband, Gary, of Stockton; stepchildren, Bruce Finn of Reno and Kelly Finn of Vallejo; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Lois Beard.

Services were held in Stockton.

Memorial contributions in Beard’s name may be sent to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817; or to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204.