Robert Eugene Byrd

Robert Eugene Byrd, born on September 28, 1928, passed away on June 4, 2022, in his home in Waco, Texas, which was also his birthplace. Gene, as we all knew him (but “Papa Gene” to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren), was preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha Jane Chenault Byrd. Also preceding him in death were his parents Fannie Bell Rogers Byrd and Rufus Byrd, and by his siblings Margaret Byrd, Velma Burke, Edna Marcel, Charles R. Byrd, and James R. Byrd. Gene is survived by his much loved four children: Jeannie Lyons of Whitewright, TX, Priscilla Greene and her partner Joe Koch of Mart, TX, Lyn Sharkey of Missoula, MT, and Charles Ray (Bubba) Byrd of Waco, TX. Gene is also survived by his six dear grandchildren Shannon Vowell and her husband Mark of Frisco, TX, Samantha Parson and her husband Craig of Jacksboro, TX, Jeannie Ann Brandt and her husband Rick of Frazee, MN, Dana Greene and his partner Rocki Blood of Mart, TX, Jessica Connelly and husband Tommy of Missoula, MT, Sasha Best and her husband Shane of San Antonio, Krystal Penn and her husband Kyle, of Waco, TX, and step-granddaughter Sarah Deyo and her husband Rolo of Flatonia, TX. He is survived also by 25 cherished great-grandchildren. His kids, grands, and greats were the loves of his life, and he would do (and did do) anything he could for any one of them. Friends Steve Snow and George and Bobbie Thomas are just a few of his countless friends. You were blessed indeed if your were his kin or friends!

Gene joined the U. S. Navy during WWII, when he was 17, dropping out of school to serve, and later earning his GED. One of his favorite stories was of him standing on the deck of his first ship sailing out of San Francisco and watching a woman in a red dress who was standing on the Golden Gate Bridge. He said he watched as she became a tiny speck of red and then disappeared from sight as they sailed away. He always ended the story with, “That’s the loneliest feeling I’d ever had in my life.” After fighting in the Pacific Theater of the war, he later joined the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He served as well on bases in the U.S. including Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and Ft. Stewart, GA. But, oh, how he loved Waco! He retired there after 20 years of faithful service and never again left the shores of the U.S.A., though he and his wife of 40 years traveled extensively in the States. Gene couldn’t stand being idle, so following his retirement from the Army, he worked for various road construction operations, using his mechanical skills acquired in the Army to service heavy equipment. Gene is famous for his annual fish fries on the last Saturday in September every year for at least the last 50 years, where everyone was welcome and came from far and wide to enjoy his cooking. He enjoyed watching sports and never gave up on the Cowboys or the Baylor Bears. The loves of his life were his precious children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They will cherish memories of their times with this beautiful, generous, loving man. And, oh, how we’ll all miss our beloved “Papa Gene.”

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors. Burial to follow in Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022 at the funeral home.