OBITUARY: Franklin ‘Gene’ Beard

Franklin ‘Gene’ Beard

Franklin “Gene” Beard passed peacefully the afternoon of Sunday, January 2, 2022, at age 75 after a brief time in hospice care. He was born December 2, 1946 in Des Moines, IA to William and June. He spent his childhood in Denver, CO.

A Vietnam veteran, Gene did four tours from 1960 to 1968 as a U.S. Navy E6 Petty Officer First Class Engineman (EN) on the USS Kemper County. The ship, an LST-42-class tank landing ship, carried thousands of tons of military supplies and food and clothing for local people through enemy territory in the Mekong Delta. She received the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC), the Battle Effectiveness Award, and six campaign stars during service in Vietnam.

During his service, he was poisoned by Agent Orange while on river patrol. In 2009 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. His family is grateful to the VA for providing the care and support he needed over the last 11 years.

Gene resided in Northern Colorado for much of his adult life, retiring from the Windsor Kodak plant in 2006. He met his life partner, Marcy, at Naval Base San Diego at a cookout his ship hosted in 1965 and married six weeks later. They moved to Nevada in 2015, where the lower altitude was easier on his lungs.

Gene was a joyful man who whistled and sang wherever he went. He was always happy to help anyone in need. A straight shooter, he was a man of principle and taught his sons to be early and to return anything they borrowed in better condition than it had been when loaned to them.

He was a craftsman who loved building and renovated and built additions to his homes throughout his life. He was an angler and loved spending time in nature along the Poudre River.

He leaves his wife, Marcy, after celebrating 55 years of marriage on December 22, 2020; sons: Chris (Anneke) and Shawn of Littleton, CO; and grandchildren Mylie (Zak), Skylar, Tomorrow (Jensen Montoya), Time, and Tuesday.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, William, who passed away when he was 10 years old; his mother, June; and his younger brother Ronald.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on their guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.