Richard Gilliam Byrd

Richard Gilliam Byrd, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, OK.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home from 1pm to 6pm. Family will greet guests from 4PM to 6PM. A celebration of Richard’s life will be 3PM Monday, August 21, 2017 at University Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater. Interment will follow at Fairlawn cemetery.

Richard Gilliam Byrd was born in Waco, TX, on July 28, 1934 to Floyd L. and Mary E. (Gilliam) Byrd. Richard was the youngest of four children. He grew up in Waco where he graduated high school in 1953. Upon graduating high school, he attended North Texas State University and Baylor University.

He met the love of his life, Jo Ann Urban in 1956 while working in a department store in Waco. Shortly afterwards, Richard and Jo Ann married in Waco, TX, on January 1, 1958.
Richard and Jo Ann had four children, Deborah Ann, Dan Richard, James Winston, and Alan Craig. The family moved to Stillwater during the fall of 1970. Over his professional career, Richard worked as a district sales representative for several major oil companies. After retiring, he enjoyed working part-time for Oklahoma State University.

Most important in Richard’s life was his family and his faith. Richard was a devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes was hunting and fishing with his family. Richard was a member of University Heights Baptist Church where he had served as deacon and taught a youth Sunday school class.

In his younger years, Richard served as a Master Mason of the Stillwater Frontier Masonic Lodge. He was also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason of the Valley of Guthrie, OK.

Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jo Ann Byrd. Three sons, Dan Byrd of Stillwater, OK, James Byrd and wife Kelly of Glenpool, OK, and Craig Byrd of Stillwater, OK; one daughter, Deborah Curry and husband Jim of Edmond, OK; Twelve grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Brandon, Catherine, Rachel, Will, Jared, Liam, Fiona, Stella, Iris, and Julian; three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Christopher, and Dyani; one sister, Fay Phillips and husband Charles of Chesterfield, MO; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Opal; brother, Floyd; and grandson, Matthew.

Family request memorial contributions be made to University Heights Baptist Church in c/o Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK, 74075.