Profile of a Mason

Ronald O’Neal Beard, 33°

Read along with me as we examine some aspects of the life of Ronald O’Neal Beard. He is affectionately known as Neal. A lifelong resident of Lawrence County, Tennessee, he lives in the small community of Leoma with his wife, Cecelia. They have four children, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Neal graduated Lawrence County High School in 1972. He has four years of college level credits and has been self-employed in the diesel truck and repair business for most of his life. He sold his part of the business to his son and partner, Ryan Beard, in 2009 and continued to work for his son part-time until retirement in 2021.
Neal served in the United States Navy Seabees for 24 years, retiring in 2013 from the Naval Reserve as a Command Master Chief (E9). He was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, during which time he served as a Construction Mechanic Second Class in the Naval Construction Battalion-24 . He was deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 and 2011 where he served as a Brigade-level Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Task Force Commanding Officer.
During his time in the service he earned many personal awards, including a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), and a Humanitarian Service Medal, along with numerous unit awards, deployment medals, and service medals.
Neal joined Masonry in 1985 in Mimosa Lodge #542, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Shortly thereafter he took the office of Junior Deacon. As a measure of his devotion to Masonry, he is currently serving as Worshipful Master for the seventh time in 40 years. He is also a plural member of Lexington Lodge #613 in Lexington, Alabama, where he currently serves as Junior Warden.
Neal is an active ritualist. He has conferred the 4th and the 17th degrees for years. He has had major parts in the 18th, 21st and 30th degrees.
He was recognized for his dedication and service in 1995 when he was made a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. He was coronated a 33rd degree Inspector General Honorary in 2005.
Those who know him personally will attest to his quiet and humble outward appearance. But beneath that image is a man who lives each day filled with Masonic principles, a man to admire and respect, for he truly seeks the truth. His love of Masonry, and especially the lessons articulated in the Scottish Rite degrees, are an inspiration and daily guide for him, as they should be to all of us. The Nashville Valley of the Scottish Rite is fortunate to have his energy and talents as a member. He, like so many of our members, exemplifies the image we wish to convey to the Middle Tennessee community.