Master Sgt. Franklin “Frank” R. Byrd, 74, of Moulton died Wednesday, February 18, 2015. He was born August 7, 1940, in Hartselle to Wesley Fletcher Byrd and Iva Lou Black Byrd.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 21, 2015, at 1 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home with O.D. Bowling and Ken Johnson officiating. Burial will be in East Lawrence Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Master Sgt. Byrd joined the military at 18 years of age. He was among the first military men to arrive in Vietnam in the early sixties. He would return for two more tours in 1963 and 1968. He traveled from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Mobile, Alabama, to Vietnam, Okinawa, Philippines, Japan, Spain, England, most of the U.S. and retired in California where he started his second career in the homebuilding industry building over 300 homes. He then returned home to Alabama to build his own home in 1996 which he enjoyed until his death. He was a true American who believed in God, his country and loved life. Frank enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and teaching Sunday school. His church affiliation was Moulton Church of Christ. He was an expert marksman and could name any gun, vehicle or knife. He will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Fennell Byrd; his wife, Bernice Thompson Byrd; two brothers, Richard Byrd and Wallace Byrd; and two sisters, Lucille Parker and Lillian Ricks.
Survivors include his wife, Sarah Ann Byrd; three stepdaughters, Virginia Mayfield (Hoyt), Donna Dotson (Danny) and Deborah Parker (Randall); stepgrandchildren, Meagan Engle (Preston), Jessica Jeffreys (Brandon), Matthew Posey (Haley), Zachary Parker (Leah), Jordan Posey (Whitney), Caitlin Posey (Michael) and Danny Dotson II (Heather); stepgreat-grandchildren, Haven Parker, Conner Posey, Brady Sherriell, Zoey Parker, Marley Hall, Ansley Posey, Kealee Brown, Paxton Jeffreys, Ashton and Trace Dotson; brother, Wesley Fletcher Byrd Jr. (Nancy); and two sisters, Madeline Jean Penn (William) and Edith Faye Summerford.
Honorary pallbearer will be Danny Dotson.
Memorial Gifts may be made to Fairfield Church of Christ.
2 comments
Ann, we are so sorry for the loss of your beloved Frank. We certainly always enjoyed our friendship with you & Frank over the years. May God bless you & we love you. JANET & TOMMY
Sarah, So sorry to hear that “Shorty” passed away. Knew & Loved him as a 2nd father and he will always be in my memories. May he rest in peace.