Larry P. Byrd

Larry Byrd was the first born son of Hubert and Grace Byrd. Five years later on the same day, June 8, Larry's little brother, Stanley was born. They were raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Hubert always held two jobs to provide for the family. Upon high school graduation, Larry began his banking career at Guaranty Nat'l Bank in Atlanta as a greeter, then operations assistant, teller, and through the ranks in almost every position including President. He attended night school at Georgia State College, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Business and Finance without financial assistance from anyone. When he joined the Air Force Reserves, he was 6 feet tall. He grew another 6 inches while in the Reserves, so he became too tall to qualify as a pilot.

In 1974, he met his wife Mary on a blind date arranged by his best friend, Jim Sloan. Mary and Jim worked at a bank in Naples. While they dated, Larry traveled every weekend for 9 months across Alligator Alley from Ft. Lauderdale in his little 240Z. He realized how grueling the trip became so he asked Mary to marry him. They have been married 40 years, soon settling in Seminole, built their house on a dirt road in a new neighborhood and have resided there on their beautiful street for 36 years. They raised their children, John from Mary's previous marriage, and their daughter, Stephanie. He was a wonderful, ever-present, parent, husband, son and brother to his family. He came up the ranks of parenting with little league coaching, ice skating chauffeur Dad, school bingo Dad, school carnival volunteer, fisherman, golfer, hunter, and head of the household. He was a true friend in every sense of the word.

After the children were grown, he and his banker friend Vic Phillipoff (late) purchased The Frame Factory & Gallery on East Bay in Largo so that their wives, Rose and Mary, could enjoy and utilize their creativity. Rose and Vic sold their half of the business to Larry and Mary after 5 years. Since then, Mary has been the sole proprietor but when Larry retired from banking in 2012, he completely renovated the outside of the building and gave it a fresh, new look. The business is now 40 years old. Until Larry became sick, he was an ever present support for Mary. He also renovated their long-time home and the landscaping so that it would look fresh and new again.

With their neighbors, Jim and Gale Schramek, they began and forged a friendship that has spanned 36 years. They have enjoyed golfing and traveling together and restaurant dining almost every weekend. His fellow banker, Phil Freeman, has been Larry's trusted friend and confidante. They saw the world through the same window. Phil's wife, Lurline and Mary became good friends. Along with Jim and Gale, they were with Larry all through his fight.

As soon as he learned of his terminal cancer, Larry planned their first cruise last April and made it happen although it was not easy. When Larry approached his 70th birthday in June, Mary arranged a birthday party for him. There were 110 people in attendance to wish him Happy Birthday. Although very ill, he was the happiest man on that day to be with his friends.

In the end, Larry so bravely accepted his diagnosis but wanted, more than anything else, to become a Catholic. Monsignor Brendan Muldoon, from St. Jerome's parish in Largo, came to his Hospice bedside to give him his Last Rites. He surprised Larry by asking him if he wanted to be baptized and Larry said "YES". The Monsignor blessed the cup of water and officially anointed Larry into the Sacrament of Baptism. Larry took a deep breath, smiled, and said his last words "thank you." He slipped into a very peaceful sleep knowing he would be going straight to Heaven. Mary would like everyone to know that Larry was a true friend and a wonderful husband and parent. Also, in those last weeks Hospice was a wonderful, loving and caring place for Larry and for the family.