Wendell Emerson Bard, aka “Coach Bard”, 71, of Liberal, formerly of Oxford, Neb., passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita following a brief illness.
Wendell was born Sept. 4, 1954, at the Oxford General Hospital in Oxford, Neb. as the youngest of five children born to Melvin Emerson and Lois Wilma (Abraham) Bard. He also had a half-brother, Ramon Dawson (deceased).
He was raised on the family farm seven miles north of Edison, Neb. and participated in basketball during his schooling years. Wendell attended Edison and Oxford public schools and graduated with the Oxford High School, class of 1972. He pursued higher education from Peru State College and attained a master’s degree in special education from Emporia State University. Later in his career, Wendell attained his counselor’s certificate from Northwest Oklahoma State University.
Wendell was blessed with four children: Brian, Brandon, Brianna, and Brittany. Together the family enjoyed cheering for each other during sporting events, watching Nebraska football, attending the occasional Husker football game, playing cards, and visiting other family members.
Wendell’s teaching career took him to several different callings throughout Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado, during his 44-year career. He taught business classes, was a Special Education instructor, and then became a school counselor, but his true passion was COACHING! Coach Bard could be seen and heard on the sidelines and courts while he coached: basketball, football, softball, baseball, and volleyball, throughout his career.
Wendell enjoyed all the University of Nebraska sports. He was always cheering on the Huskers, whether it was in football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, or softball.
Wendell will be remembered for his passion of helping students. If a student didn’t have a coat, he would find one for them. He never met a stranger and could chat up a storm with anyone he met and he would always have a joke to tell and made many people laugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a half-brother, Ramon Dawson; his sister, Nancy “Sue” Kerr; and his grandparents: Elge and Hazel (Girch) Bard; and Edward and Amy (Gardner) Abraham.
Wendell leaves to celebrate his life, his children: Brian Bard and his wife, Christine of Atlanta, Texas; Brandon Bard and his partner, Angela Chun of Littleton, Colo.; Brianna Larson and her husband, Chris of Greeley, Colo.; and Brittany Okemba and her husband, Brandon of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren: Ian and Ava Bard of Atlanta, Texas; Benjamin Bard of Littleton, Colo.; and Mara Okemba of Lincoln, Neb.; his brothers: Fairen Bard and his wife, Sharon of Jennings, Okla., Tom Bard of Junction City, and Gary Bard and his wife, Cindy of Reno, Nev.; brother-in-law, Jimmy Kerr of Oxford, Neb.; along with nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
• Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, Neb.
Funeral services for Wendell E. Bard will be Monday, September 29, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, Neb., with Pastor Albert Longe officiating.
Interment will follow at the Edison Cemetery, Edison, Neb.
Memorials in Wendell’s honor are kindly suggested to Team Jack Foundation, to help find a cure for Pediatric Brain Cancer.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford, Neb. is in charge of arrangements.
Paid obituary
