D. Harold Byrd, Jr.

David Harold Byrd, Jr., 83, a Dallas native, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning January 27, 2021. He was surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him.

He was born in Dallas, Texas on May 19, 1937 to Gen. D. Harold Byrd and Mattie Caruth. He attended grade school at University Park Elementary graduating high school as Valedictorian from Greenhill School in 1955. He attended the University of Texas where he played in the Longhorn Band later transferring to Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where he graduated with a Homebuilding degree in 1960. Prior to his graduation from Trinity, to honor his parents and brother, he contributed the principal funding for the outdoor, heated swimming pool at Trinity which is still enjoyed by students today.

He married Roberta Menger of San Antonio on February 3, 1960. Shortly after graduation they moved to Dallas where he built homes and apartments throughout Dallas and Plano for several years before opening an investment company/ going to work in the family business.

Harold enjoyed spending time and being with his family whether it was in Cody, Wyoming during the summers or at their South Texas ranch for hunting season. He cherished his time spent with his grandchildren.

Harold invested in Dallas philanthropy, enjoyed being an active member of many clubs, and served on various boards. He was a longtime supporter of the University of Texas Longhorn Band and enjoyed attending UT football games. He was a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hillcrest Foundation, and a past board member of both Dallas Baptist University, and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. He was instrumental in the foundation of the Museum of Biblical Art. He was a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club, Park Cities Club, Dallas Dinner Dance Club, the Order of the First Families of Virginia, the Texas Branch of the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin Town in the Colony of Virginia, the Dallas-Ft. Worth Colony National Society, and the Magna Charta “Dames and Barons.”

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roberta Brackenridge Menger Byrd of Dallas, Texas, a son David Harold Byrd III and his wife Diane of Dallas, Texas; a grandson David Harold Byrd IV and granddaughter Tiffany Diane Byrd both of Dallas, Texas; and great nephew Mark Byrd of Canton, Texas.

The family would like to thank Enrique Chacaj, Steven Hudson, Albert Mayfield, Wilma Russell, and Ruth Idowu for their years of loving and gentle care.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5-7 pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 am in the chapel at Sparkman/Hillcrest.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Happy Hill Farm at www.happyhillfarm.org, Dallas Baptist University at www.dbu.edu, or the charity of your choice.