Marc R. Byrd

1954 - 2018

Marc R. Byrd

Palm Springs - Marc Byrd, 64, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2018, with his husband of 26 years Al Jones at his side. Marc was born on May 14, 1954 in Flint, Michigan. He attended Eastern Michigan University, The American Floral Arts School in Chicago, and the University of Redlands where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management in 2002 and his Master of Arts in Management in 2004. He attended The Institute of Economic and Political Studies at Cambridge University in England as part of his undergraduate studies.

Marc was a distinguished, award-winning florist, who owned The Village Florist in Palm Springs from 1979 - 1985. For over 30 years, he was a nationally-recognized event décor consultant. In 1988, became the first general manager of the floral department of the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel and created the luxury floral style seen around the world today. He was nominated eight times for the Best Event, Best Wedding, and Best Floral design, winning two "Best Floral Design" Awards from Special Events magazine. In Los Angeles, he was the in-house florist for the famed L'Orangerie Restaurant, The Los Angeles Country Club, and the Hollywood Park Turf Club. His design work has appeared in several national magazines. His press credits include the Desert Sun, Los Angeles Times, Palm Springs Life, Town and Country Magazine (for 3 weddings), Veranda Magazine (for Virginia Robinson Gardens), Blooming News, Harper's Bazaar Magazine, and multiple other publications. His film credits as the movie and television floral consultant included Narrow Margin, The Contender, and the Joan River's show. He was known as the "florist to the stars" that included such clients as Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Gaynor, Delores Hope, Barbara Sinatra, Paula Weinstein, Kaye Ballard, Elton John, Ginger Rogers, Mary Martin, Loretta Young, Liberace, Regina King, Joli, Magda, and Eva Gabor, Keely Smith, Dixie Carter, Hal Holbrook, and more. He provided floral services to many political personages such as Nancy Reagan, President and Mrs. Gerald Ford, Former Ambassador and Mrs. Walter Annenberg, Princess Grace of Monaco, Mrs. George Randolph Hearst, Mrs. Marion Lederer, Jody Jacobs, Franklin Otis Booth, Eugene Ormandy, Former Ambassador Mr. Robert Tuttle and Maria Hummer Tuttle, and many others.

Marc was an accomplished organist, pianist, singer, performing in multiple musical theatre presentations both in high school and college. He was proud to have been inducted into the Order of the Arrow and to have earned both his God and Country and Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.

Marc was committed to giving back to the communities in the Coachella Valley. He served on the Board of Directors of the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert, serving on the Marketing, Public Relations, an Décor Committees; on the ACT for MC (Multiple Sclerosis), co-chairing the 2016, 2017, and 2018 fund-raising galas; on the University of Redlands Alumni Association (2005 - 2009) and the Whitehead Leadership Honor Society at the University of Redlands (2004 - present). He joined the Desert Sun-Desert Scene as a guest reporter in January 2017.

Professionally, Marc was a frequent presenter and speaker at such events as The Los Angeles Floriade Showcase, The Banning House Museum, the Los Angeles Garden Show, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and multiple garden clubs that included the Los Angeles Country Club, The Beverly Hills Garden Club, the Bel Air Garden Club, and the Pasadena Garden Club. He was scheduled to present at the La Jolla Women's and Garden Club this fall/spring.

Marc is survived by his husband of 26 years, Al Jones, his mother Cynthia Byrd, his brother and sister-in-law Cass and Sue Byrd of Michigan, his Aunt Jean Clapp of Metarie, LA, cousin Janine Raffray of Metarie, LA, and several nephews and grand nephews and nieces.

A funeral mass will be held on August 20 at St. Margarets Episcopal Church, followed by interment at Desert Memorial Park. Immediately following, a Celebration of Life, planned by Marc, will be held at Acqua California Bistro.

In lieu of flowers, Marc requested donations in his name be made to the following two organization on whose boards of directors he served: ACT for MS or the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert.