Former Lexington council member Julian Beard dies

Julian Beard, a former city councilman and former economic development director for Lexington, died Tuesday at his home.

Beard, 78, was economic development director under Mayor Teresa Isaac and later served on the Urban County Council from 2007 to 2014. Beard left his position as economic development director when he won the seat for the 4th District, which includes neighborhoods between Tates Creek and Nicholasville roads from the University of Kentucky Arboretum to Man o’ War Boulevard.

Beard was a lifelong Lexington resident and a graduate of Lafayette High School and Transylvania University. He was a student at Transylvania when he began his banking career in the basement of First National Bank, which is now the 21c Museum Hotel. Beard spent more than 30 years in banking. That long career included the founding of First Security Bank of Lexington, where he was chairman, president and CEO.

After Beard retired from banking, he thought he had more to give to the city he loved, said Jeff Beard, his son.

“He wanted to participate in Lexington’s continued growth and success,” Beard said of his father. Public service was not a burden but a privilege for his father, Jeff Beard said.

“He had a true love for Lexington. His fingerprints are all over this city.”

Beard served in leadership positions and was a member of the Rotary Club, the Optimist Club, the Bluegrass Council of Boy Scouts of America, the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council and the Fund for the Arts. He attended Christ the King Cathedral. He was president of the Wildcat Club and was a statistician for legendary University of Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp in the 1960s.

Mayor Jim Gray said Beard was known for being both direct and honest.

“Julian Beard was a strong voice for his district and for business,” Gray said. “He had a direct, no-nonsense style that served our citizens and our city remarkably well.”

Former Vice Mayor Linda Gorton said Beard’s business experience was an asset to the council. Whether it was banking or government services, customer satisfaction was Beard’s top priority, she said.

Beard was direct, candid and honest, said Gorton, Lexington’s longest-serving council member. She worked with Beard during his entire tenure in city government.

Beard pressed for answers — which isn’t always easy in government — and was not trying to ruffle feathers, Gorton said. “He was a good person who wanted to do the right thing.”

He also was a good friend, she said. When she had surgery on her shoulder and was unable to drive for several weeks, Beard picked her up and drove her to and from council meetings. And when Beard had health problems, Gorton shuttled him to and from city hall.

“I will miss him,” Gorton said. “We worked together for a long time.”

Councilman Kevin Stinnett said he admired Beard because he spoke truth to power but always treated people with respect.

“He was a gentleman,” Stinnett said. “He was first-class. He knew how to treat people right.”

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Woodland Christian Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woodland Christian Church.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Former Lexington council member Julian Beard dies."