Monsignor Raymond H. Beard, 92, of Pendleton, a Haines native and a 1933 graduate of St. Francis Academy who was ordained to the priesthood at Baker City in 1941, died Dec. 23, 2007, at his home.
The rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pendleton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday. Vault interment will be at Athena Cemetery.
The Rev. Monsignor Raymond H. Beard was born on Oct. 31, 1915, at Haines. He was one of the nine children born to Henry and Stella Harter Beard.
After graduation from St. Francis Academy, he studied philosophy and theology at St. Edward’s Seminary at Kenmore, Wash. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1941, at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City by Bishop McGrath. He was the first St. Edwards alumnus in the diocese when he was ordained.
He served as assistant in The Dalles, Lakeview and at Sacred Heart in Klamath Falls. He served as pastor at Burns, chaplain at St. Anthony Hospital, and pastor at Milton-Freewater, Heppner and Wasco. He also served for a time as co-pastor at Pius X Church in Klamath Falls.
He was fondly called “Father Red” by his relatives and close friends. He was instrumental in physically helping to build a new church and rectory at Milton-Freewater and Athena, a new church at Heppner, and a new church at Athena after retirement.
In November of 1980, he was named Prelate of Honor with the title of monsignor by Pope Paul II.
He retired in 1985 and moved to Athena where for a time he provided vacation relief for his fellow priests. Having provided for a chapel in his home, he celebrated daily Mass for people who chose to attend.
He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1941. He was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus at Pendleton and was a member of Sacred Heart Church at Athena.
He will be remembered for his staunch faith and for taking the time to remember special dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones in the lives of his many friends.
Survivors include his sisters, Martha Anderson of Spokane, Wash., and Theresa Grismer of Corvallis; many nieces and nephews; and even a great number of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sister Sylvina, and sister, Emily Kirk; and brothers John, Tom, Francis and William.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Monsignor Raymond H. Beard Burse Memorial Fund for training seminarians through Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, P.O. Box 489, Pendleton, OR 97801.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 27, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
