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Obituary: Earl Judson Byrd

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Staff

Earl Judson Byrd, 83, died in Duke Hospital on April 11 after a lengthy illness. He was the son of the late Reverend C. E. Byrd and Nettie Lewis Byrd.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Sparrow Byrd; daughter, Elizabeth B. Rees, and her husband, Mark Rees, of North Andover, Massachusetts; son, Robert E. Byrd, and his wife, Marcie, of Warrenton, North Carolina; grandchildren, Gregory M. Rees, Meredith J. Rees and Austyn D. Byrd; sister, Nettie Lewis Pendergraft; brother, Dr. Harry E. Byrd, and his wife, Jean Byrd; sister-in-law, Ellen Cheek, and her husband, Ben Cheek; brother-in-law, Dr. N. L. Sparrow, and wife, Linda Sparrow; and many nieces and nephews.

Earl was a native of Durham and attended Hope Valley School and graduated from Durham High School. He was conscripted by the U.S. Army when he was 18 and served two years as a member of the U.S. Infantry in the 1st Army, First Division, 18th Infantry. He landed in Normandy on D-Day plus 2 and later was transferred to the 3rd Army under the command of Gen. George Patton. After his discharge from the army before his 21st birthday, he attended Louisburg College and graduated from Wake Forest College in 1950 with a business degree.

He was a longtime employee of Ray Motor Company in Hillsborough. His many friends could attest to his great sense of humor and enjoyed his teasing on a regular basis. He was a faithful member of Hillsborough First Baptist Church where he served in many capacities. His membership in the Exchange Club was a joy to him. He received an award for bringing many new members into the club and was named Exchangite of the Year.

He served on the Alamance-Orange Prison Board as an active member as long as his health permitted.

Funeral services were held at Hillsborough First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 W King St., Hillsborough, N.C., or to Alamance-Orange Prison Ministry, c/o Ken Barker, Chaplain, 347 Highway 89 N., Burlington, N.C. 27217.

Messages of condolences may be mailed to P.O. Box 513, Hillsborough. Arrangements by Walker’s Funeral Home of Hillsborough.

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