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Larry Byrd Obituary
Larry received his B.S. in education from Appalachian State University, then did much of his Master's work at UNC–Chapel Hill and received his Master's Degree from UNC–Charlotte. For 35 years he taught 8th grade earth science at Shelby Junior High School/Middle School.
During his professional career he coached baseball, track, football, basketball and golf. In his youth he was an excellent baseball player. Larry loved sports and was an avid UNC fan, loving all things Carolina. He was a founding member of Wilderness Trail, a group hiking the Appalachian Trail. He was an active member of Lafayette Street United Methodist Church.
Larry is survived by his wife Alice M. Byrd; daughter, Susan B. Lankford and husband Scott of Dunnellon, Fla.; son, Steven Lee Byrd and wife Lori of Raleigh; grandchildren, Michael Budzinski and wife Priscilla of Shelby, Patrick Budzinski of Boone, Ava G. Byrd of Raleigh and Henry D. Byrd of Raleigh; brothers, Terry Byrd and wife Brenda of Ellenboro and Dennis Byrd of Shelby; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Rosie.
Visitation: The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall. At other times the family will be at the home.
Memorial service: 6 p.m. Thursday at Lafayette Street United Methodist Church
Officiated by: The Rev. Arthur Holland
Funeral home: Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Bob Hamrick or The Blanton Scholarship Fund, c/o Lafayette Street United Methodist Church, 1420 South Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28152.
Guest registry: www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Larry Byrd
Wes Lilly
April 7, 2014
The Byrd Family are in all my prayers. Thanks again Mr. Byrd for time spent with me and Michael in our early years. Those times meant alot and still do.So glad we got to see you on our last trip home.God Bless you all.
April 7, 2014
Your in my prayers. Thanks Mr Byrd for your quality time as i grew up as your neighbor.Your a wonderful family. Wes Lilly
Michael Williams
April 6, 2014
So sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Byrd and his family was like a second family to Wes and I. I will always remember the trip we took to NC Tar Heels football game. May prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Eric McFalls
April 5, 2014
The Byrd family is in my thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.
The Byrds lived above my family in Cliffside Duke Village. Larry was ten years older than me, so I did not know him very well like other friends my age in the village. But, I do remember that as a child I did think of him as a good guy and I certainly was correct in my thinking as I read all the entries listed in this guest book!
One of my most vivid memories of him was when we (his dad, Terry, and maybe Dennis) were playing croquet in their backyard. As we were playing, we heard a popping sound overhead which turned out to be the ejection charge of a military jet as the crewman were catapulted from the jet. We watched for what seemed like hours to me as the two crewman parachuted down and landed across the river from the plant. That made for quite an exciting summer day in Cliffside Duke Village!
I did get to speak with Larry briefly at the Duke Village reunion this past October.
Rest in peace Larry.
Craig Bramlett
April 4, 2014
I am so sorry to hear about Larry. Larry was a great teacher and mentor to many. I was the Assistant Principal at Blacksburg High school while Larry was there. Larry and I had many talks about science and hiking during the years we worked together. I really enjoyed knowing him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kristi Crater
April 3, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Byrd was here at Blacksburg High School my first year teaching. What a mentor! He always gave me good advice and a helping hand. He was a great teacher and a great friend! I am sorry not to attend tonight - my father-in-law passed away this week also or I would be there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
tonya asquith
April 3, 2014
his wife made him happy and i saw that and for someone that parents have passed, its nice to see someone treat each other well and teach us younger kids how to do it, he was always very nice and sweet and so is alice
Kathy Adams
April 3, 2014
Dennis, Sorry to hear about Larry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Brown Wallace
April 3, 2014
So sorry to hear about Larry. I did get to see him and visit just a minute with him last Oct at the Duke Village reunion. So glad I did. His family and mine were good friends growing up at Duke Village. Good man. I'm sure he will be missed.
James Price
April 3, 2014
I didn't know Larry well, but I did know Terry and his wife, Brenda, who was in my high school class. My condolences to all his family. God Bless you and keep you.
Cindy Hudson
April 2, 2014
We were so sad to learn of Larry's passing but we know he's in a wonderful place with our Heavenly Father. We will miss him at the barber shop, he was a wonderful customer and fine gentleman.
Paul Henderson
April 2, 2014
Sorry for your loss. Larry's 8th grade class (SMS,1987) was part of my inspiration to pursue science as a profession.
Peggy Putnam Houser
April 2, 2014
Larry Byrd was a good friend, kind & so helpful to others in many ways! Larry was a lot of fun in those wonderful High School days, at dear Cliffside High School, Cliffside, N.C.-- back in the day! He was very popular in school, and a great scholar with a high I.Q. It was a pleasure to know him, and he made a great contribution to others, all the days of his life, as he was a great encourager, and mentor to many along his earthly journey! Praise God for his precious life, so well lived! Goodbye Larry Byrd, rest in peace, and thanks for the wonderful memories.
Donna Cohn
April 2, 2014
Susan & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Roger Hutchins
April 2, 2014
My Condolences to the family in this difficult time. Coach Byrd touched and molded my life along with many others. He coached our group of football players from James Love Elementary through Shelby Junior High. The foundation he laid led us to become 2 time state champs in high school. He was not only a great coach but provided a real life example of how to be a real gentleman, a family man. The number of lives he touched and changed is well beyond what any of us know individually. We have lost a great man!
Ginger Horton
April 2, 2014
I taught with Larry at BHS. He was a great guy.I'm a UNC fan also and he and I discussed the Heels often. My thoughts and prayers are with you as this time.
April 2, 2014
We were so sorry to hear about Larry. He was a very dear and good family friend to us. We remember the good times we had as kids growing up as well as the present times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Alice and the family. We will be praying for you all. Naomi, Ronnie and Sue Webb
Janie and Larry Butler
April 2, 2014
Alice and children, Terry, Brenda, and Dennis, Aunt Lucille and Uncle Ralph..Our hearts are so heavy but heaven has gained another precious soul!! We love this family so very much and wish we could be there. We are in Florida with Larry's mother. She is in assisted living. Mother will not be able to come. Ronnie is real sick. We will be there later when I return. Love and hugs to you all!!
Mike Fisher
April 2, 2014
Larry, you were my first assist on a full court pass at Cliffside H.S. Soon your younger brother Terry would be receiving many more at Cliffside and Chase. I'll try to see Terry at service.
Erin Spivey
April 2, 2014
Dear Susan and Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss.
Pam Hughes
April 2, 2014
Larry was a wonderful person, and I enjoyed getting to know him during his time as a science teacher at Blacksburg High School. He taught my son, Tanner, and instilled in him a passion for rockets! Our prayers are with you all.
Gary Leigh
April 1, 2014
Coach Byrd taught me some basic lessons when I played on his Shelby Junior High basketball team in the late eighties. Most of all he taught me how to respect others as well as myself. Gary S. Leigh
Mary Hull
April 1, 2014
Mr. was a great teacher and he will be missed!
Billy Transou
April 1, 2014
Larry Byrd was a kind and gentle soul. He was a family man, a teacher, and a coach. I had the privilege of working with him for a short time at Blacksburg High School where he taught and cared for our students...my prayers go out to Alice and family...God's speed my friend!
George Scherger
April 1, 2014
Alice, Susan and Steven,
Larry was my mentor and friend. He was the one who brought me to Shelby. He was truly a person who cared about others. He was the greatest Earth Science teacher I knew because he cared greatly about his students and he cared about the athletes he coached.
The pride he had in his children and grandchildren was evident in conversations we had together.
I am truly sorry for the loss of your father and husband.
April 1, 2014
To the Family:
Larry was a patient of which many times I took care of at DCI and a dear friend. He always came in with a kind word and a smile for everyone. I haven't worked at DCI for several years but I always checked to see how he was doing.
He will surely be missed but will always be remembered for his caring words to everyone. This world is a better place for having Larry Byrd.
My Deepest Sympathy,
Janet Brooks
Donnie Tharrington
April 1, 2014
Dear Alice,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Larry's death. Please accept our sincere condolences.
During the years Larry and I worked together, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations regarding his pride in his family, and the triumphs and failures of the UNC Tarheel sports teams.
Larry was a good and caring man. He will be missed by all.
During this difficult period, it is our prayer that God's Gentle Spirit will comfort the hurt of every family member and give each of you peace.
In loving remembrance.
Donnie and Ellen Tharrington
April 1, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss.
Dean Jenks
April 1, 2014
Mr. Byrd was my teacher and coach at Shelby Junior High School. He was always very quick with a smile. He had a very positive effect on a lot of young people. I am proud to be one of them.
Todd Dorsey
April 1, 2014
Mr. Byrd was my 8th grade teacher in the 70s. He was an awesome gentleman and coach. The family has my sympathy and should be proud of the impact he had on the lives of so many young people.
April 1, 2014
Enjoyed teaching with Larry at Shelby Middle. Praying for Alice and the family. Joey Costner
David Cabaniss
April 1, 2014
A gentleman and a positive influence . God be with him.
Tammy Horne
April 1, 2014
My sympathies and prayers are with you and your family.
Judy Emory
April 1, 2014
I am so sad to hear of your loss, Larry was so special. He will be missed greatly.
Dennis J. Toms
April 1, 2014
Mr. Byrd was my 8th grade science teacher. He was one of my favorite teachers, although I was not his best students. He was very patient with me as he knew I was just a silly young teenager. I remember him being very kind and easy going. I will always remember how he showed love to his students even when we didn't deserve it. He made a great impact on me during a difficult time in my life and I will always be thankful. Thanks again Mr. Byrd.
Danita Hamrick
April 1, 2014
So very sorry for your loss, Mr. Byrd was a wonderful person and touched many children,s lives.Scott and Danita Hamrick
David Marshall
April 1, 2014
As a middle school science teacher, I had the opportunity to share ideas, philosophies, and strategies with Mr. Byrd. As a coach, it was my honor to coach against Coach Byrd. And it was my great pleasure to know Larry as a gentleman, a man of his word, and a person with knowledge and wisdom. Whether you knew him as Mr. Byrd, Coach Byrd, Larry, or if he was related to you, you are likely a better person for knowing him. I know I am.
April 1, 2014
Our deepest sympathies to the whole Byrd family from Noel, Lucy, and Allie MacArthur.
Joseph Towery
April 1, 2014
Susan
I am so sorry for your loss.
Aric Lipscomb
April 1, 2014
Rest in paradise 8th grade '90-'91 SMS
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Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory - Shelby106 Cherryville Road, Shelby, NC 28150-4208
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