Kenneth Virgil Beard

Kenneth Virgil Beard, 62, of Archer, passed away on May 15, 2018 at home from a brain tumor. Ken was born on October 26, 1955 to Virgil and Dorlene Burgener Beard in Driggs, Idaho. He was raised in Teton Valley, Idaho and has lived most of the last 32 years in Archer. He also lived briefly in Wilford and Ogden. Ken married Sonia Boyle on December 7, 1979 in Victor and they were blessed with four children.

Ken attended schools in Tetonia and Driggs and graduated as valedictorian of Teton High School in 1974. He graduated from Idaho State University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and worked as a mechanical engineer and land surveyor. He worked at the Idaho National Laboratory for 26 years and has worked at Applied Engineering Services since his retirement.

Ken was an active member of the LDS Church. He was called out of inactivity by an inspired bishop to be ward executive secretary in 1982 and took his wife and boys to the Idaho Falls Temple on October 8, 1982 to be sealed as an eternal family. He served in many callings including counselor in the bishopric, ward clerk, high councilor, Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, scout leader, and family history consultant.

Ken will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his willingness to minister to others, his sense of humor; his love of the mountains; his love of music; and his brilliant mind.

Ken is survived by his wife, Sonia of Archer; children: Justin (Vanessa) Beard of Salem, Matt (Jennifer) Beard of Rigby, Melissa (Robert) Rose of Lyman, and Amanda (Wayne) Nelson of Taylor, Utah; parents, Virgil and Dorlene Beard of Darby; siblings, Jenny (Gary) Smith of Idaho Falls, Becky (Jeff) Muench of Salem, and Randy (Pam) Beard of Lyman; and 16 grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11 am at the Archer LDS Chapel (201 W 8000 S, Rexburg, Idaho). A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Eckersell Memorial Chapel (101 W Main Street, Rigby, Idaho), and Friday from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the church prior to the service. Burial will be in the Cache Clawson Cemetery in Tetonia.