Olan Beard

Olan Beard

Olan Eugene Beard, age 71, won his battle and passed into the arms of Jesus April 25, 2025, in Abilene, TX after a lengthy, complicated illness.

Visitation will be Monday, April 28, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life well-lived at 2:00 p.m. with burial at Atoka Cemetery in Novice, Texas. Visitation and services, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, will be held at Beltway Park Church South, 4009 Beltway South, Abilene, with David McQueen, Lead Pastor, officiating: assisted by Randy Turner, Pastor of Missions and Outreach.

Olan was born the seventh child of ten children in Nashville, Tennessee to Irene Story Beard and Ulys Beard on December 14, 1953. He moved to Texas in 1967 where he attended Jr. High and high school, excelling in football, basketball and track, and graduated from Novice High School in 1972. He married high school sweetheart, Debbie O'Neal on October 25, 1975 in Novice. Together they raised two sons who grew up loving the Lord and later blessed him with two beautiful daughters-in-law and three grandsons who were the apple of his eye. Olan started his financial career at First State Bank in Abilene in 1975 and earned the respect and trust of a multitude of bank customers, many of whom became his life-long friends. He attended and graduated from "Texas Tech University and University of Texas Schools of Banking, at the top of his class. His hard work and dedication resulted in his becoming an expert in his chosen field of banking operations and was called upon throughout his career as a consultant for financial institutions across the country seeking to emulate his method of operations. He was known internationally for his extensive knowledge of all banking operation aspects, regulations, and laws, and was summoned multiple times to serve as an expert witness for the government in federal financial institution court cases across the nation and abroad in U.S.-held territories. His forward thinking and creativity led to the pioneering of the stand-alone/offsite automated teller machine and the personal banking concept that was adopted and utilized nation-wide. His goal was to stream-line procedures to provide efficient services to all customers and patrons, while maintaining his integrity and professionalism.

Olan served on numerous business advisory boards and committees as well as charitable non-profit organization boards always doing his best to assist the organization to better serve others. Of all the areas in which he served, he was proudest to be part of Beltway Park's Boots on the Ground Ministry, serving alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing his unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ and his hope of Heaven while remodeling houses and building wheelchair ramps for individuals in need--some of whom had not been able to exit their home for months. He strived to be the hands and feet of Jesus in his generosity and love for his fellow-man, freely giving of his time, talents and resources. Olan continued his financial career when he purchased a data processing center that was severely in debt, to preserve the staff who were threatened with job losses at a time in which the country was experiencing a down-turn in the economy. He renamed it FFS Data Corp., and developed it into a thriving business. He was dedicated to improving everything he was involved in and strived to leave it in better condition than he found it. He retired from FFS when illness struck and he was forced to use his energies to fight a difficult battle for his life with Faith over Fear.

Olan was never a stranger to hard work and enjoyed developing more efficient and productive ways to do things whether it was plowing and cultivating with horse-drawn equipment or milking cows all at an early age in Tennessee, to working as a cabinet maker, and carpet layer, during his high school years to help provide for his family; then moving on to installing heating and air-conditioning in private homes and commercial business before entering the financial world. He was a man of many talents and believed if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. One could say he was a perfectionist.

Olan is survived by his wife Debbie, whom he lovingly referred to as his "baby girl", his sons and daughters-in-law Jason (Joy) Beard and Ricky (Robyn) Beard. Three grandsons, "Awesome" Austin, Jackson, and Luke Beard. He is also survived by his sister Gaile (Bo) Green of Waxahachie, brothers Don (Kim) Beard of Eula, Johnny (Myra) Beard of Dickson, Tennessee; and Bobby (Rhonda) Beard of Clyde. He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews and a host of fun-loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Olan was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Billy and Jimmy Beard; and sisters Shirley Champion, Janice Sadler and Annette Beard.

Pallbearers will be: Jeff (Fuzzy) Smith, Ray Ince, Ron Harris, Chris Cummings, Walt Clemmer and Jeff (Heffe) Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Quintanilla, Chris Loflin, Chris Becker, Chris Carroll, Jay Wise, and Robyn Talley.

Olan would be honored for memorial gifts to be sent to Boots on the Ground Ministry at Beltway Park, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, or the donor's favorite charity. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Hari Kalla at Texas Oncology, Dr. Isabella C. Glitza at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Robbie Cooksey and staff for their compassionate care. The family would like to especially thank the multitude of family and friends who stood firm as faithful prayer warriors and helping hands. Words are inadequate to express our love and gratitude.

Olan has left a gigantic void in the hearts of his family and friends. And they will miss him dearly but are holding onto the promise that they will all be reunited with him in Heaven someday soon, to hear stories of how he's told Jesus, "This is how I would do it"... (humor intended).

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