Jerry Dale Byrd

Jerry Dale Byrd, loving father, brother and friend, was peacefully promoted to heaven on March 13, 2024, at the age of 79.   He was born on October 6, 1944, to Junior Lee Byrd and Ruth Bunch Byrd in Manila, Arkansas, and Baptized at Westside Baptist Church in Manila.  Jerry graduated from Manila High School in 1964 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts at Houston Community College in 1978.

After graduating Manila High School, Jerry went on to proudly honor his country as a Marine where he served from 1965-1967.  In 1970, Jerry moved his family to Houston, Texas where he started his career out at Texas Instruments. By the mid 80’s he embarked on a successful career as the owner and operator of Byrd Electronics and by 1990, as a co-owner of StressTest out of Garland, Texas. In the mid 2000’s, he and his brother Mickey embarked on a new adventure-CCR Trucking, becoming local legends in Fairfield, Texas as “The Byrd Boys”.  Jerry found joy in the simple pleasures of life, from spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, working on his ranch in Texas, to his hobby of owning and racing thoroughbred horses.

Jerry crossed the path of many, leaving a lasting impression on each person he encountered.  He was the Chevy Chase of the family, always whistling, singing, and providing entertainment with his witty and warped sense of humor.  He was always the self-appointed supervisor of ongoing family projects around the ranch.  If there was a stray dog around, it most likely found its way to Jerry’s house.  He lived life abundantly, creating opportunity for others with his generous heart.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Junior Lee Byrd and Ruth Riggs, as well as his brother Larry Byrd, sister Shelia Byrd, and brother-in-law David Turner.  Jerry is survived by his daughter, Bobbie Jean Bozarth, of Montgomery, Texas, and his son, Greg Simpson (Jennifer) of Cypress, Texas; his siblings, Mickey Byrd (Carol) of Jonesboro, Faye Turner of Jonesboro, Mike Byrd (Michelle) of Alvin, Texas, and; his grandchild, Alyssa Marie Simpson; the mother of his children, Betty June Byrd; multiple nieces and nephews, extended family and a lifetime of friends.

There will be a visitation held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro from 11:00am-noon with funeral services to follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in Birdeye, Arkansas at 2:00pm.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jimmy Bunch, Brad Mounsey, Don Eberts, Jim Eldridge, John Jackson, Bob Harrison, Roy Bass and Dick King.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans of Foreign War or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund