Jerry Don Byrd

The Lord needed another good Cowboy to tend to his cattle in heaven when he called Jerry Don Byrd home on Wednesday September 15, 2021. Riding horses through the clouds, and herding cattle along God's green acres is where we will find our Papaw Jerry when we too are called home by our Lord and Savior.

Jerry Byrd was born on December 6th, 1937 to Alvin (Shorty) and Sarah Hassey Byrd at their home in Stith, Texas. From a young age, his love of the outdoors and animals was seen and felt. You could find him in the fields and helping as much as he could while not in school. Jerry attended school in Stith and later graduated from Merkel High School in 1956. While attending school in Merkel, Jerry was in the Military Program. Upon graduation, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Reserves. While in the Reserves he married soul mate and love of his life Patsy Gregory on September 6, 1957. In March of 1959 they were blessed with a daughter by the name of Cindy Lou. Jerry loved his baby girls, as they were blessed with their second daughter, Suzanne, in April of 1962. One thing was for sure, that he loved all of his girls as his daughters gave him a few more, and even had the privilege of loving their special daughter, Kathrine. After Suzanne was born, Jerry was Honorable Discharged from the Marines in 1962. After discharge, Jerry went to work for Taylor Telephone in Merkel, TX. Working hard to provide for his family, he still managed to tend to his horses, hold a position on the Merkel City Council for 12 years, was President of the Taylor County Sheriff Posse, and called Abilene Livestock Auction his second home. After giving countless hours and many years of service to Taylor Telephone, Jerry retired at the ripe age of 59 and a half, and this is where the real adventures begin. The Auction Barn is where you would find Jerry every Tuesday morning before dawn. Rolling thousands of miles all over the USA with Randy Carson and a trailer full of cattle. Jerry was always ready for a road trip. Working cattle and managing the livestock was his passion. The lake was always home away from home for Cindy, and so Jerry and Pat found their new runaway as well. Lake adventures with Rusty and Sharla, and Alan and Suzanne, and Cindy were always a possibility on the weekends. Jerry Byrd loved life, loved his family and friends, and loved his horses. Jerry has always been a man of few words, so when the "Love you" came across his lips it was words you cherished forever. 

Jerry Byrd is survived by his wife, Patsy (Gregory) Byrd; daughters Suzanne Lovelace and husband Alan, Kathrine James and husband Dana; nephew Rusty Holloway and wife Sharla; Brother Teddy Byrd and wife Merry; Grandchildren Cortnee Bryant and boyfriend Chris Carns, Jera Buton and husband Jacob, Jacy Riggan and husband Matt, Abby Doan; Great Grandchildren Darbi Doan and fiance Luke Perry, Seth Bryant, Madison Doan, Carah Bryant, Hadley Bunton and Barrett Bunton; Great Great Granddaughter Londyn Perry; Sisters Sue Jones and Joan Neil. 

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Sarah Byrd; Daughter Cindy Hamner; sisters Myrle Holloway, Daphna Whatley, and Jean Irvin.

Graveside rites will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jerry Russell, Benny Melton, Randy Carson, Cody Carson, and Russ Holloway.

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