Eugene Byrd

Eugene Robert Byrd, known as "Gene" or "Weenie" by most, passed away March 6, 2024, after spending his last few days surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly. He was 72.
Gene was born Feb. 1, 1952, to Jim and Mary Ellen (Shaw) Byrd and raised in Clarkston.
After graduating from Clarkston High School in 1970 he worked briefly for the Forest Service at the Kelly Creek Ranger Station on the North Fork. In April 1971, he went to work for the Potlatch Mill in Lewiston where he made his career as a loader operator in the log yard until June 2011.
Gene married Loretta (Josman) in August of 1971 and raised three children in Lewiston. They later divorced. He later married Tammy (Purcell) July 7, 2007, and gained three stepchildren. With a true heart of gold, he was the best grandpa to 23 grandchildren and great grandpa to seven great-grandchildren.
As an avid hunter, fisherman, sinker maker, and mushroom and huckleberry picker, he spent many of his days on a river bank or in the woods with some of his best lifelong friends: Jerry Blimka, Allen and Charles Stamper, Kevin Barbee, and Chad, Shaquille and Tyler Burke.
Gene always said you don't have to be blood to be family and he had a very large extended family at his favorite place which was the Stamper/Burke homestead in Southwick. Employees at several Kendrick stores got to know him well as he frequently stopped on his numerous travels between Lewiston and Southwick over the last few decades.
If you knew Gene, you loved him. Up until his last day, he was a big teddy bear who always told the best stories. He could make you laugh until you cried.
Gene is survived by his wife Tammy; half-brother James Wall; sons, Michael (Sherry) Byrd and Robert (Carina) Byrd; daughter, Maria (Cesar) Loza; stepson, Dean (Lacey) Birch; stepdaughter, Gennine (Birch) Hansen; grandchildren, Dean, Ben, Morgan, Tristen, McKenzie, Kayanna, Trevor, Ryan, Ada, Paige, Christian, Amelia, Esperanza, Cesar Jr., Isabella, Gabrielle, Victoria, Anthony, Bayahni, Jazmine, Catherine, Peter and Remington; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended Southwick family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary; brother, Terry Byrd; sister, Elaine Zeigler (Byrd); stepson, Peter Birch; granddaughter, Sydney; and grandson, Cameron.
There will be a celebration of life at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 4, at the Stamper/Burke homestead in Southwick.