George Melvin Beard, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died on Saturday, March 18 after a battle with colon cancer. George was surrounded by family in his home when he went to meet his Lord. A resident of Kansas City, Kansas for over 30 years, George lived an active life that included boating, volunteering and taking his 10 grandchildren to plays, ballets and community events. George enjoyed captaining his boat (The Andrea A) on Lake Perry as well as taking it down the Mississippi on several occasions. He used his boat to teach local young people about power boating as an authorized representative from Kansas City Power Squadron to Kansas City Sea Scout Ship Soaring Eagle (July 2016-2023). He was a member of the US Power Squadron, Kansas City Chapter from 1994-2023, and enjoyed meeting and learning with like-minded boaters. Born June 4, 1942 in Seattle, Washington to Melvin Delmar Beard and Georgina Emmaline (Britt) Beard, George was known as a good student, a solid friend and a loving brother to his two siblings, Linda JoAnne Beard (of Yelm, Washington), and Dennis Beard (deceased, of Texas). George earned his bachelor's of psychology from Pacific Lutheran University in 1962. He joined the Navy reserve in 1964, retiring in 1988 as Lieutenant Commander. He also served as the chaplain for the US Navy League, Kansas City Chapter. George wed Andrea Annette Anker on August 27, 1966, in San Rafael, California. In 1968, George received his Bachelor of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and was ordained into the Lutheran ELCA ministry in 1968. He completed his Master of Divinity in 1977 from San Francisco Theological Seminary and served congregations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Kansas before retiring in 1999. George was a member of Kiwanis International from 1974-1992, holding several offices during that time. Living a life of service was important to George and he felt strongly that the 34 years he spent volunteering his time for the State of Kansas Guardianship Program was of value. He served as a member of the Governor's Commission on Disability Concerns and a liaison for the Governor's Commission for Independent Living. BikeWalkKC and Friends of the Kaw were also beneficiaries of George's generous spirit. After a full career as a pastor, George continued to help others as a Court Services Officer for Children in Need of Care for District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and later as an Independent Living Specialist for The Whole Person in Kansas City, Missouri. George is survived by his wife of 57 years, Andrea Annette Beard. They have four children; Nancy Drose (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) Amelia Beard Grissom (Hiawatha, Kansas), Annette (Jasmine) Beltz (Blue Springs, Missouri) and Christopher George Beard (Mission, Kansas). George is also survived by his grandchildren, Brianna Drose and Connor Drose (both of South Carolina), Cathleen Grissom and Ethan Grissom (both of Kansas), Madison Beltz (of Missouri), Brandon Williams (of Missouri), Autumn Farrier (of Tennessee), Aidyn Beard and Emma Beard (both of Missouri), Noah Carver (of Missouri). Services will be held on Saturday, April 15 at 2:00 pm at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, KS. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.