Martin Davis Byrd

Mr. Martin Davis Byrd, age 83, a retired Eastern Airlines Captain, died peacefully in his home in rural Dunn on November 4, 2016.

Martin was born in Harnett County on January 1, 1933, the son of the late Rev. Martin Lister Byrd and Lola Ann Ryals Byrd. He is preceded in death by a sister, Zelda Barefoot, of Raleigh. He is survived by his loving wife, Edna R. Byrd, of the home; daughter, Karen M. Byrd, of Dunn; daughter, Cheryl Byrd Coats, and husband, Raymond L. Coats, of Dunn; brother, Willie Morrison Byrd, of Wytheville, Va.; brother-in-law, Shelton Barefoot, of Raleigh; sisters-in-law, Sue B. Royals and Delores A. Royals, both of Dunn; and numerous nieces, nephew and cousins.

Martin grew up on a small farm in his native Harnett County. Even as a young boy, he was fascinated with aviation. Upon graduation from Campbell College, he married the former Edna Mae Royals and moved briefly to Ohio where he began flying lessons. The couple returned to NC with their two children where Martin obtained his private and commercial pilot license and instrument rating. He crop dusted for farmers in the local area until obtaining his commercial multi-engine instrument rating and securing a corporate pilot position in Hershey, PA. Thereafter he was hired as a Flight Engineer with Eastern Airlines, later upgrading to First Officer and then Captain. He flew the Constellation, Electra, DC-9, L-1011 and 727 for Eastern and was based in Washington, New York and Atlanta. Martin retired in 1987, but his passion for aviation never faded. He shared that passion with the many students he taught to fly as a certified flight instructor, including his daughter and son-in-law. His passion extended to rebuilding classic airplanes when he obtained his A&P license, and he continued to restore and rebuild airplanes and aircraft engines until recent years. He also had an avid interest in antique radios, restoring many in his spare time. He served on the board of directors of Cape Fear Christian Academy and served, until his death, as a trustee for his church, Erwin Chapel. He served on the Board of Presidential Advisors at Campbell University and established a Divinity Scholarship at Campbell.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 11:00 am at Erwin Chapel Church with Rev. Danny Helms & Rev. Jeff Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery .The family will receive friends Monday, November 7, 2016, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Cromartie Miller Funeral Home in Dunn and at other times at the home.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be sent to the Erwin Chapel Church Building Fund, c/o Phyllis Herring, 8948 US 421 South, Erwin, NC 28339.