J.D. Bearden, age 101, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at his home in Sikeston, MO.

Born July 2, 1924, at Patch 13, Pittsburg, IL, to the late Roy and Leatha Harrison Bearden, J.D. grew up in the Fayette County, IL area and where he completed his high school education in 1942.  Drafted into the U.S. Army on June 24, 1943, he would be stationed in Europe in 1945 and receive his honorable discharge on March 6, 1946.

J.D. was a hard worker and was a business owner all of his adult life. He started in business for himself in 1952 when he opened and owned Becky's Club Charming and Club 18 and would then manage the Sikeston Elks and Sikeston Country Club.  In 1981, he helped start Circle B Steakhouse and the Double Nickel Nightclub.  He would then go on to manage the Charleston Country Club until 1987 when he opened JD's Steakhouse and later Club JD's known as JD's Saloon.  After those many years of owning and managing various businesses, J.D. retired in 2007 so he could spend lots of time loving his family, fishing, gambling and being the best man, we could ever know.

On August 15, 1966, he married Peggy Jean Parr, who preceded him in death July 13, 2012.

Surviving is his son, Jason Bearden; Jason's sons, Jaden and Mason, and Jason's granddaughter, Alma; his daughter Robin and her children, Barrett, Samantha and Paxton; his niece, Carole Johnson and her daughter, Beth (Craig) Stanley and her son Greg (Rebecca) all from Texas; also, a number of additional nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Reese and his siblings, Edna, Irene, Millie, Gladys, Lucille, Sherman, Leona, Fern, Willard and an infant brother.

Family and close friends may begin to call at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston after 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston. Public visitation will be from noon until 1:00 p.m.

After visitation, family and friends are then invited to process to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery where J.D. will be interred at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family requests memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.