Mr. Ronald Byrd

BYRD, Mr. Ronald - Age 62, passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Lavigne House, Burton, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Thursday, August 21, 2025 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the chapel 10:00 AM Thursday. Mr. Byrd will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday. Ronald Byrd, known as "The R", was born in Flint, Michigan on May 4, 1963, to Joe Wille and Rose Lena Byrd. Ronnie grew up in the Westwood Heights School District, where he attended Hamady elementary, middle, and graduated in 1981 from Hamady High School. He played basketball up until the 10th grade where he had to decide whether he wanted to continue boxing or play basketball. Ronnie chose boxing. Moving through the ranks, Ronnie became one of Flint's most heralded amateur boxers. He was in five National Boxing Tournaments and took three titles. He was runner-up in the Junior Olympics, the P.A.L. Invitational Tournament in New Mexico and went to Squaw Valley, California to seek membership on the U.S. Olympic Team. Ronnie won the National Police Boxing Tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut and won the State Golden Glove Championships and APO State Title, where he advanced to the National quarterfinals in both tournaments. Ronnie won a Gold Medal in the National Sports Festival and beat two opponents in his first National P.A.L. outing. One record that stands out among his great achievements are 87 wins and 7 losses in his senior record. Mayor Rutherford and Flint Chief Max Durbin awarded Ronnie a certificate proclaiming Wednesday, July 18, as Ronald Byrd Day in the City of Flint along with a key to the city. From 1982-1990, Ronnie boxed professional as a super feather weight (126), yielding a 10-1-1 record. His boxing career was cut short by a car accident which slowly deteriorated his health. In 2008, Ronnie was the fourth family member (Joe, Joe Edward, Laurie) to be inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame. Until Ronnie began having neurological problems, he was very instrumental in his daughter Kashonda's life. Many people, whether they knew Ronnie or not, would often see him throughout the city with his daughter in hand. He was so proud of Kashonda and would take her everywhere he went. When his grandson Jamari was born, Ronnie was there loving and supporting him as well. Ronnie leaves to cherish is only child Kashona (Ray) Scott, and grandson Jamari Thigpen. His siblings, Charles (Phyllis) Young II, Joe, Timmy (Linda), Laurie, Lula, Tracy, Patrick, and Chris. His paternal uncle, Archie Byrd, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ronnie was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Eddie and Cora Byrd; maternal grandparents: Alfred and Juanita Mayfield; parents: Joe Willie and Rose Lena Byrd, nephew Kyle Kelly, and niece Lillie Rose Luster.