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Dr. Curtis Lard

April 14, 2016

Dr. Curtis Franklin Lard, Ph.D., passed away April 9, 2016 in College
Station. Funeral services for Dr. Curtis Lard will be held at First Baptist
Church College Station Saturday April 16, at 2:00 p.m. The family will
receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday April 15 at Memorial
Funeral Chapel.
Curtis was born in Waterloo, Alabama to Mazie and Grady Lard, and grew
up in Savannah, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of
Tennessee in 1957 and received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from
Michigan State University. He began his teaching career at the University
of Tennessee. In 1967 he came to Texas A&M as Associate Professor in
the Department of Agricultural Economics. Then in 1970 he was appointed
Assistant Dean of Agriculture, where he remained until 1989. He returned
to the classroom in 1990.
Professor Lard received numerous awards while teaching at Texas A&M,
including the Dr. John Koldus Distinguished Service Award and the Vice
Chancellor’s Award in Excellence. He enjoyed teaching and students
thought highly of him. Over the years many students expressed their
appreciation for his guidance and help in graduating from Texas A&M.
Upon retirement in 2010 he was honored with the title of Professor
Emeritus.
Dr. Lard’s involvement in community activities included the Bryan Rotary
Club, faculty bowling league, and Friday morning prayer breakfast.
Spending time teaching his children and grandchildren to fish and golf
were two of his favorite things to do. His first priority in life was his
commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a faithful
member of his church and served as deacon from a young man to his
death. He taught a men’s Sunday School class for many years. He was
core leader from First Baptist Church, College Station in starting two
mission churches: Parkway Baptist and Living Hope Baptist Church. He
also helped with the start of the Cowboy Church in Wellborn.
He leaves his wife Anna (Jimmie); daughter Deborah and soninlaw
Franz Krager Houston.
Daughter Patricia and Gabriele Parri, Italy. Son
Curtis Lard, Jr. and wife Caroline – Houston; son Darryl Lard and wife
Amy – Euless, Texas. Sister Celia Godwin and brotherinlaw,
Cecil
Godwin; sister Sadie Williams; brother Thomas Lard; and sisterinlaw
Lucille Lard, all of Savannah, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by
his parents and brother Grady Lard, Jr. Curtis was PaPa to nine
grandchildren: Anna Lard Baranski and her husband Phil, Andrew Lard,
Connor Lard, Cavan Lard, Ciara Lard, Clare Lard, Giovanni Parri, Alana
Meggison and Ian Meggison.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the flower fund
of First Baptist Church – College Station – 2300 Welsh St. College
Station, Texas 77845 or the Curtis F. Lard Family Scholarship Fund in the
Department of Agriculture Economics (Account #35022.) Checks can be
made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation, and mailed to 401 George
Bush Drive, College Station, TX 778402811.
Please include a note
indicating that the gift is in memory of Dr. Curtis Lard.