Greg was a 1995 graduate of Baker High School. He participated in Boy Scouts. He joined the U.S. Navy in September 1995, graduated Great Lakes Training Center, Chicago, IL and then was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Chosin—a guided missile cruiser. He traveled the whole world before he was medically retired.
Greg participated in the 37th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Cincinnati, Ohio July 2017 and was awarded three medals. He also participated with Team River Runner Kayaking in Baldwin County. Greg's heritage includes membership in the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians—a state recognized tribe in Southwest Alabama.
Gregory is survived by his father Thomas Wayne Byrd (Elsie) Mobile, Al, mother Gloria Bland Byrd,
Orange Beach, AL, sister, Robyn Byrd Willson (Kyle) and niece/nephew Miles Willson and Arabella Willson all of Durham, NC, Ashley Byrd (Chad Trull) and her children, Clarissa Kelly, Alijah Davis, Jaylond Davis of Wilmer, AL. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Gregory is preceded in death by his grandparents; Samuel and Cleo Byrd, Mt. Vernon, AL, Dan and Ruby Bland, Crestview, FL, beloved aunt and cousin, Annez and Julia Byrd, Mt. Vernon, AL, special cousin, Daniel Farrior, Crestview, FL and companion dog, Macy.
Services will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Orange Beach United Methodist Church, 28751 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561. The family will receive friends and family from 9:30 — 10 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 10:00. Lunch will be served immediately following the service. Interment with military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered in Gregory's memory to one of the following charities:
Flags for Vets, Inc. (provide flag and lighted pole for living veterans)
1083 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) (provides help/research for spinal cord injuries)
P. O. Box 758532
Topeka, KS 66675-8532
Gary Sinise Foundation (Specify for Homes for Disable Veterans)
P. O. Box 368
Woodland Hills, CA 91365
Gregory was an organ donor and was able to help people with his kidney, heart valves, and cornea donations. If you feel so led, honor Greg by becoming an organ donor by signing up online at organdonor.gov or at your local motor vehicle department.
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
