Julian Beard, retired Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilman and lifelong resident of Fayette County, died in his home April 5, 2016, with his wife Lynn Beard at his side. Julian Beard was born February 10, 1938, in Lexington to his parents, Julian and Rosalia Christy Beard, both deceased. He is survived by his wife and family, including, daughter Catherine (Joshua) Myer, son Jeffrey Beard, step daughters Abby Carr Carere and Courtney Carr, and grandchildren Elisabeth Myer, Benjamin Myer, William Myer, Nathaniel Myer, Julia Beard, Caroline Beard, and step-granddaughter Mila Rose Carere. Beard also leaves behind his canine buddies, Killian and Ninja.

Beard’s family roots and civic service run deep in Fayette County. His paternal family settled in Kentucky, in 1801. His grandfather, U.S. Marshal Joseph Beard, is the first lawman listed on Lexington’s Peace Officer monument in Phoenix Park.

A graduate of Lafayette High School and Transylvania University, Beard enjoyed a distinguished career in banking, business, government and civic affairs. His long banking career began at First National Bank predecessor to First Security National Bank. During Beard’s 31 years at First Security, he served as Executive Vice president, as President of First Security Financial Services Corporation and Vice President of First Security Corporation of Kentucky. During which time, he founded QUEST (a statewide ATM network that preceded the MAC network in Kentucky) and in 1974 led the team that employed the city’s first ATM’s at First Security National Bank. After retirement from First Security in 1988, he worked as President and Chief Operating Officer of B.S.C., Inc., a community bank data processing and operations management company. Subsequently, Mr. Beard founded the First Security Bank of Lexington, a service-oriented bank of which he served as Chairman, President and CEO.

Mayor Teresa Isaac appointed Mr. Beard as Economic Development Director of Lexington-Fayette County, where he served from 2003 – 2006. Having served in a civic capacity, combined with his passion for community service, he sought and earned the 4th District Urban County Council seat. He served in that capacity from 2007 to 2014. His civic work included service in Rotary Club, Optimist Club, Bluegrass Council of Boy Scouts of America (District chairman), Lexington Arts and Cultural Council: board member and chair of the Fund for the Arts.

Mr. Beard attended Christ the King Cathedral. He was an educator for the American Institute for Banking. He was a lifelong supporter of University of Kentucky Athletics. He served as President of the Wildcat Club in the mid-70s and he was a statistician for Coach Adolph Rupp in the 1960s. Mr. Beard enjoyed reading as well as international travel.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 8th at Woodland Christian Church, from 5 to 8 PM. Services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 9th also at Woodland Christian Church with visitation beginning at 10am prior to the services. Pallbearers will be, Jack Witt, Jim Burkholder, Bill Alverson, David Westerfield, Mike Hurter, Josh Meter, Rick Trontz, and Willie Fogle. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Blue and Warren Rosenthal.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bluegrass Chapter of American Red Cross, Inc. (1450 Newtown Pike, Lexington, 40511), LexArts, Inc. (161 N. Mill Street, Lexington, 40507) or Good Foods Co-op, Inc. (455 Southland Drive, Lexington, 40503).