Rod Byrd

In a very real way, Rod Byrd lives on in our collective memory. I remember Coach Byrd for teaching me basketball, math, effort and teamwork. I measure his influence by my life's pursuits: honors math major, decades playing and coaching basketball, and a love for working with others.

Coach Byrd helped prepare his students and players for a lifetime of teamwork and play. May we all remember each day how Rod Byrd touched our lives.

Richland H.S. basketball captain, 1963

Mary and family, words have not been created that express the loss that you must feel. My heart hurts for you. Rod and I were friends at Birdville High School and then we went our own way. It is my loss that we did not stay in contact. I know that I would have been blessed with his patent, gentle and confident character. While Rod was a great athlete he was also very smart and exercised good judgment. We shared high school classes such as physics, chemistry, and advanced math classes where he...

Some 30 years after graduating from high school with Rod , our phone rings and it's him. Says he just bought a house in Rockwall. We were living in Garland, just a few miles away. Rod and I were best friends in high school but basically went separate ways upon graduation. Good grief what a shock! Immediately , Rod and Mary became our best friends. We spent the next 10 years enjoying a rare friendship, traveling together and sharing countless good times.

I remember talking to Rod...

Coach Byrd was a great example and mentor. He opened for me a whole new academic challenge when he guieded me through geometry. It was his foundational teaching and patience in that early study of math that has served me well over my entire career. As my football coach he taught me self discipline and the value of hard work. I am thankful that he was part of my earlier life. May God bless his family and surround them with His love, provision, and peace during this difficult time.

Coach Byrd exemplified the saying that it was not your physical size but the size of your heart when playing a sport. Not only a great coach and teacher, but a great teacher of life leasons. My condolenses to the family.

Coach Byrd was an excellent teacher, and great basketball coach.

I was very sorry to hear about Coach Byrd's passing. I really admired him. He was an excellant math teacher and a great coach. He always used to tease me that I "was drownding in a sea of ignorance" whenever I was having trouble grasping math concept.

May God bless, keep safe, and grant peace to Rod's wife and family, as the arms of the Heavenly Father now enfold and welcome Rod in His loving embrace. My friendship with Rod was brief, and our lives took us in opposite directions. He was a freshman at N.Texas on a basketball scholorship, and I was a freshman there on a football scholorship. Rod was small to be playing basketball, but he could make baskets from what would later become "3 point range", shot, after shot, after shot. He was a...

Mr.Byrd was my math teacher at Richland Jr. High and then later my tennis coach at Richland High School. I will always remember him as a great teacher and mentor. My deepest sympathy to his family.