Dr. Thomas R. Byrd

Dr. Thomas R. Byrd Dr. Thomas R. Byrd, 82 (Capt. U.S. Navy, retired), of Los Osos, California passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Mission View Health Center in San Luis Obispo, CA. He was born on September 15, 1935 to the late Clyde and Mae Sowell Byrd Roberts. He was a graduate of Mt. Pisgah High School, Clemson University, and the Medical University of South Carolina. He received a Master of Public Health from Harvard University. Captain Byrd began his Navy career at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC, and subsequently had tours of duty in Washington D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam; Naples, Italy; San Diego, California; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His duties in preventative medicine carried him as far east as Bahrain, as far west as Sri Lanka, as far south as Antarctica, and as far north as Point Barrow, Alaska. Captain Byrd received numerous decorations, including the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, The National Defense Service Medal, two Vietnam Campaign Medals, three Humanitarian Service Medals, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Medal. After his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Byrd received his Juris Doctor from the College of Law at Western State University, San Diego, California. He practiced law in Hanford, California until his retirement. He served on the Board of Directors for the Kings County Rehabilitation Center. He also received a commendation from the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management for his service to the Southern Sierra Archaeological Society painted Rock Monitoring Program. He enjoyed hiking major trails in the United States, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Nepal. Other interests included horticulture and rock art. Dr. Byrd is survived by his half brother, Robert Roberts (Celia) of Kershaw, SC; nieces: Amy (Stephen) Graves of Elgin, SC, Lisa Welborn of Leesville, SC, and Laura (Keith) Atkinson of Lexington, SC; great- nephews: Matt Welborn, Andrew Welborn, Evan Graves, and Johnathan Atkinson; great-nieces: Kayla and Hannah Atkinson; and one aunt, Bobbie (Lee) Catoe of Columbia, SC. He was preceded in death by a half brother, Vernon Roberts. Dr. Byrd faithfully served the Lord until his health no longer allowed him to do so. A private burial was held December 26, 2017, at Buffalo Baptist Church, Kershaw, SC.