Tommy James Byrd

Services for Tommy Byrd, 90, of Tyler, TX will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Road Church of Christ with Raynard Screws officiating. Burial will follow at a private cemetery at a later date.
Tom received his heavenly reward Saturday, September 14, 2024. He was born March 11, 1934, in Hollis, Oklahoma to Roy James and Ruby Dell Cunningham Byrd. Tom married the love of his life, Marjorie Karen Howe Byrd, on January 24, 1958. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1958. He practiced as a self-employed veterinarian for 35 years in Shreveport, Louisiana at Summer Grove Animal Hospital and Towne South Animal Hospital (both of which he co-owned). For the past five years, he resided in Tyler, Texas, and was a member of Shiloh Road Church of Christ. Previously, he served 17 years as an elder at the Southern Hills Church of Christ in Shreveport, Louisiana. Other congregations in which he served as a member include Vinita Church of Christ in Sulphur, Ok, and North Ridge Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant, TX. He served for 15 years in various positions on the Shreve Christian School Board.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Dell Byrd, his father, Roy Byrd, and his brother, Terry Byrd. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie Karen Byrd, his children Timothy Tee Byrd and wife, Sara of Lisbon, Louisiana and Matthew Howe Byrd and wife, Lisa of Tyler, Texas. He was known as "Pa" to four grandchildren: Brian Byrd and wife, Sara of Ruston, Louisiana, Cameron Byrd and wife, Sarah of Lucas, Texas, MacKenzie Byrd Bradley and husband, Jonathan of Tyler, TX, and Garrett Byrd of Tyler, Texas as well as four great-grandchildren: Luke, Peter, and Tirzah Byrd of Lucas, Texas and Ryan Wilkinson of Ruston, Louisiana. Additionally, he is survived by a sister, Fran Shaw and husband, Lyndell "Hooty" from Blair, Ok, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Tom had a larger-than-life personality who loved Jesus and if you spent any amount of time with him, he would make sure you were aware of God's love for you. Before departing, he would always say "Let's have a prayer!" Oklahoma State University held a special place in his heart. Throughout his life, his special interests were Jesus, the Church, his family, serving the Lord, his practice of veterinary medicine, reading, gardening, and travel. He enjoyed being a part of the "James Gang" Bible study at Shiloh Road where he would call each member weekly to remind them to come. His presence in this group serves as a reminder that we are never too old to serve the Lord. He cherished his wife Karen, and anyone who came into their presence was immediately aware of their special bond and love for one another.
Honorary pallbearers will be his beloved grandchildren and their spouses Brian and Sara Byrd, Cameron and Sarah Byrd, MacKenzie and Jonathan Bradley, and Garrett Byrd.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at the Primrose Assisted Living Facility and Choice Home Health providers for the steadfast, loving care they provided Tom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Church of Christ University Center, 821 North Duck, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075; (405) 372-5682.