JOHN RICKEY BYRD

John Rickey Byrd Mr. John Rickey Byrd, known fondly by his family and friends as "Rick," "Rickey" or "Big Byrd," died June 23, 2012 after suffering a stroke in early June. He was 64. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, in Shiloh Baptist Church with Rev. Wade Spooner and Rev. Coley M. Holloway officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church Building Fund, 873 N. Shiloh Road, Hartford, AL 36344 or to the Hartford Senior Citizens, 301 3rd Avenue South, Hartford, AL 36344. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. No matter where he was, Rick never met a stranger and lived to make those around him smile. Rick had a great presence about him and everyone that knew him couldn't help but love him and his vibrant personality. Rick was born on May 27, 1948 to JT and Lucille Byrd, farmers in Geneva County, Alabama. He graduated from Geneva County High School in 1966. Rick completed his BS and MS in Agricultural and Extension Education Services at Auburn University. Rick served in the Alabama National Guard and worked as the Seminole County 4-H Extension Agent before completing his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education at The Ohio State University in 1976. After working for Pioneer Harvestore Systems as Regional Sales Manager, Rick discovered his true professional passion - real estate. Rick loved helping families find a home they could call their own. Rick worked in Ohio doing just that for over 20 years at Jim Walter Homes and Frazeysburg Square. He also spent countless hours volunteering his services as an EMT on the Utica EMS and Hartford Fire and EMS. Rick loved his time in Ohio, but in 2003 he moved back home to Alabama to care for his mother, "Mymama". In Alabama, Rick worked for Wiregrass Realty and WhatleyDarty as a realtor and then acquired his broker license, working with Empire Realty. Rick focused primarily on commercial real estate, but he was never happier than when he helped families find their own home. Rick was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. In his spare time, Rick could be found keeping in touch with his many friends and relatives on Facebook. Rick lived each day of his 64 years to the absolute fullest. He shared his passion for life with everyone that he met and always took the time to remind people how much he cared. This is his legacy to us. Rick is survived by his children: Craig and Jennifer Suydan of Donalson-ville, GA and Jonathan and Andrea Derby of New York, NY; his granddaughter: Emilee Nunnery of Donal-sonville, GA; and siblings Gary Byrd of Huntsville, AL and Ray and Carol Hix of Dothan, AL. Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb, (334) 886-7777, is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guest register at www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.