Terry Lee Byrd

Terry Lee Byrd, age 65, passed away on July 20, 2025, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Gulfport. Terry was the son of Karl and Denise Byrd of Ocean Springs. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Richard Byrd, nephews Jason Stahl, Joshua Byrd, brother-in-laws Bob Ferro, and Dale Stahl. Terry is survived by his wife Kathleen and step son Gerald Tomlinson; Sister Susan Beatty (George), nephews Karl (Barbie)Beatty, Eric (April) Beatty; Sister Karla Stahl, nephew Jeremy Stahl; Brother Danny Byrd; Sister Janice Ferro, niece Jeannie (Don) Parks, nephew Michael Morrison; Brother John Byrd, niece Kaylne; Brother Doyle (Veronica) Byrd nephew Randy Byrd, and niece Natasha Byrd. Terry grew up enjoying friends and all that growing up on a coastal town offers, boating, swimming, hanging with friends on the beach. Terry enlisted in the United States Army for two tours, which afforded him huge experiences outside our little town. He served in the Persian Gulf War, in Saudi Arabia, in which he received a medal of service in Asia, and a Kuwait liberation medal, was in Germany when the wall came down, and the Panama Canal at the end of his service. He earned medals and honors during his career. Upon returning to Civilian life, he worked at Bailey Lumbar Door Plant in Ocean Springs and for over a decade at MGCCC Perkinston Campus Dining Services. He loved setting up banquets, dinners, special events, and serving the students there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and having fun with coworkers at the same time. He felt part of the Campus watching it grow and change new dining facilities, a Stadium with food service during football season, and the local people coming in to enjoy the Sunday Lunch buffet. Upon retirement, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, he was a Resident Advisory Committee for two floors of 48 residents, he would welcome and see to any needs, on the dance committee, organizing monthly dances, and the dining hall committee. He loved participating in the talent show held there every year, attending dance classes every week, working his garden plot, riding his bike, walking the beach, and helping wherever he was needed. And attending church at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, where he was a member. Services will be held at the AFRH Chapel, 1800 Beach Drive, Gulfport, on August 4, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, with Pastor Michael Gibson and Reverend Claire Dobbs of First United Methodist Church, Gulfport will beginning at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full Military Honors, at a later date.