Roll Call Tribute

Kenneth Bruce Beaird
October 24, 1934 ~ October 16, 2022

Kenneth Bruce Beaird, age 87, passed away peacefully at home in Miramar Beach, Florida, on October 16th, 2022, with Fran, his wife of 66 years, by his side. Ken was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Robert and Marie Rawlings Beaird on October 24th, 1934. The family relocated their home to Brazoria, Texas, when Ken was just a baby. He spent his childhood and youth with a close group of life-long friends hunting, fishing, and camping in the woods and along the rivers of the area.

In 1956, Ken married Frances, his high school sweetheart. After graduating from Texas A&M, class of ‘57, he began his 20-year military career with the United States Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam and Thailand. He was a proud member of the Air Commandos. After retiring from the Air Force, Ken owned and operated the Reveille II charter boat in Destin for almost 30 years. His passion for fishing and charter boats led him to become the president of the Destin Charter Boat Association and the National Association of Charterboat Operators. Ken also served as Mayor of the City of Destin.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marie. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Fran; his two daughters, Kathy Beaird and Alicia Hutchison; grandchildren, Jennifer (Clayton) Hollis and Jordan (Katie) Hutchison; his brother, Norris Beaird; and a host of extended family members and life long friends.