Donald Roe Byrd, of rural Mulberry, Kan., passed from this life Tuesday, Nov. 2. 

Don was born Jan. 1, 1939, to Alvah Ira Byrd and Edna Grace (Roe) Byrd, of Oronogo.  He attended Carterville High School and joined the U.S. Navy after his junior year. He was active duty for four years and served 26 years in the Naval Reserves and National Guard. He retired as a petty officer 1st Class. After his active service, he returned home and went to work as a journeyman meat cutter, working in several meat markets in the Joplin/Pittsburg area. He briefly owned his own independent meat market in Alba. 

Don enjoyed traveling, collecting guns, and spending time at Table Rock Lake. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with his family and friends reminiscing about fond memories and his many life adventures. Don was blessed with many lifelong friends. He attended LifeTrack Christian Church, Frontenac, Kan.

Don is survived by his wife, Judy (Turlot) of the home; two sisters, Ursalee Dowell, Webb City, and Jeannie Spencer, Joplin; six children, Jim and Teresa Byrd, Melburn, Fla., Terry and Patty Byrd, Tyro, Kan., Sandy Reynolds (Niece), Webb City; Don and Susan Byrd, Broken Arrow, Okla., Mitch and Margo Byrd, Joplin, Gayla (Byrd) and Jim Barnett, Crested Butte, Colo., and Nathan and Casey Byrd, Liberty; four stepchildren, Bobby and Lisa Richardson, Pittsburg, Kan.; Jennifer (Richardson) and Gary Bogle, Pittsburg; LeeAnn (Richardson) and Bruce Yeo, Mesa, Ariz., and Jim and Kelly Richardson, Mulberry; 31 grandchildren, Michael and Kari Byrd, Ryan and Kristin Byrd, Brycen and Kirsten Byrd, Terra (Byrd) and Dustin Bayless, Monica (Byrd) and Aaron Walker, Aaron Byrd, Seth and Erin Byrd, Ben Byrd, Brock Byrd, Maria Phillips, Lauren Rose Evans, Brock Burnett, Bryn Burnett, Brie Burnett, Courtney Byrd, Kelby Byrd, Jameson and (Ashley Scott) Richardson, Tyler and (Courtney Rakes) Richardson, Chase Richardson, Daniey (Bogle) and Troy Unruh, Jay and Stephanie Noe, Jena Geier-Viles, Blake Bogle, J.T. Richardson, Jayden and Cheriah Larmer, Janessa and Nathan Pinney, Ashley and Lew Rocha, Falon Lopez; 39 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Saturday at LifeTrack Church, Frontenac. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mirza Shrine, of Pittsburg, or Children’s Shriners Hospitals.