Christopher Byrd

Byrd, Christopher 34, Winter Springs, Florida, passed away peacefully September 8, 2016 surrounded by love and support from family and friends around the world. Christopher was born on July 12, 1982 in Roanoke, VA, but grew up along the creeks and in the forests of Winter Springs. His sense of adventure and zest for life were present from a young age, encouraged by his family. He always greeted everyone with a warm smile, ready to have fun! He would light up the room with his enthusiasm. Christopher was full of passion, always trying to improve the life of others through his love of water, music and travel. He was ready to go anywhere, with anyone at anytime! His spirit was larger than his body. Christopher was a well-known, well-loved, and respected advocate for the environment and for Fanconi Anemia, a rare genetic disease for which he received an unrelated bone marrow transplant in 1999. Christopher attended Keeth Elementary, Indian Trails Middle and Winter Springs High School. He earned a double major in International Political Science and Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida. He earned his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center, the class of 2008, where he was selected by his peers as the Graduation Speaker. Christopher was a founding father of Sigma Nu, Mu Psi Chapter, and served as Vice Justice of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International while at UCF. He was involved with numerous environmental and advocacy organizations in Tallahassee during the five years he spent with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He served on the Executive Council of the Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar and as the Community Service Committee Chair of the Orange County Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section, and was on the Board of Directors of the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (FARF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Fanconi Anemia. After leaving DEP, Christopher started the Byrd Law Group, and was voted as one of Orlando's Legal Elite by his peers for two consecutive years. He accomplished more in his 34 years than most do in a lifetime. He inspired hope, led by example, and showed us what it means to embrace life. He made the world a better place just by being in it, and we are all better for having known him. He was loved by many and will live in our hearts forever. He is survived by his mother Peggy McDaniel, Winter Springs, FL; father Victor (Jill) Byrd, Jacksonville, FL; partner Jason Coblentz, Winter Springs, FL; sisters Courtney (Joey) Swafford, Atlanta, GA, and Lindsay McDaniel, Winter Springs, FL; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends across the globe. Christopher will be buried in a private ceremony at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Gainesville, FL and a celebration of life will be held [Tuesday, September 13 at 2:30 pm] at All Saints Episcopal Church, 338 E. Lyman Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. In lieu of flowers, the family would love donations be made to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, 1801 Williamette Street, Suite 200, Eugene, OR 97401 or www.fanconi.org, or the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 132 W. 32nd Street, New York 10001, 212-237-3865.