Harold Edward Byrd

Harold Edward Byrd was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday, June 11, 1930 to Fox Edward and Thelma Irene Byrd. He passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013. Raised in the South, Harold was very proud of his southern heritage.

Harold spoke the language of Electrician and the U.S. Navy. He served our country during the Korean War. He was a proud Navy-man, speaking always of his memories "aboard ship" on the USS Cacapon. Having enjoyed many years of continued comradery with his shipmates, he and his wife Lorna co-founded the USS Cacapon Veteran's Reunion Association along with another shipmate and his wife.

During his service in the Navy, Harold became an Electrician's Mate and after his term of service became a journeyman electrician. Harold was proud to have been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for over 37 years. He was involved in the surge of construction in the downtown and surrounding areas of Los Angeles. Notably, he was part of the construction team that built the LAX Theme Building in 1960 and the downtown Arco Twin Towers in 1970.

Harold loved to sing. He participated in Barber Shop Harmony Society's throughout the years, mainly in Thousand Oaks, California. Whenever at a birthday celebration, Harold could be counted on to sing the harmony notes! In 2011, Harold was honored for his 50-years as a member of the Thousand Oaks Masonic Lodge.

Harold was best at being a wonderful and caring husband to Lorna. On the day of his passing, Lorna and Harold were married for 62 wonderful years. They met by chance at a dance in Seattle while Harold was in the Navy. They were destined to be together from the moment they met. He was the perfect example to his boys of what a husband should be. He was an extremely loving and very involved grandfather. He taught his grandsons how to ride their bicycles and later, how to drive an automobile.

It has been heard over and again; Harold was one of the nicest men you would ever meet. He was strong, yet gentle. He was a very good listener. He would get choked up just speaking of his boys and grandsons who he was so proud of.

Harold will be greatly missed but forever loved by his wife, Lorna Marie of Hemet, CA. He is survived by his two sons: Reg Byrd (wife Terry) of Westlake Village, CA; Harold Byrd (wife Nancy) of Atascadero, CA; three grandchildren: Anthony Byrd (wife Shannon) of Thousand Oaks CA; Russell Byrd (fiancé Laura Schirmardi) of Aachen, Germany and Gina Tango of Atascadero, CA; one great-grandson: Mason Byrd; two brothers: Charles Virgin (wife Cheryl) of Sunrise, FL, and Edward Virgin (wife Jennie) of Chattanooga, TN. Harold was preceded in death by two of his children Loren and Katie and his sister, Donna Byrd.