James W. Byrd went to be with Jesus on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by Lois and John Kolasky, and his sister, Therese Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marjorie; his two daughters, Debbie (Ronnie) Pate, Amy (David) Tyner; his grandchildren, Casey (Jim) Langdale, Maysha Pate, Kyra Pate, Allie Byrd, Tenley Tyner, David H. Tyner III; two great grandchildren, Pate and Cannon Langdale; two brothers, John Kolasky, Jr., Andy Kolasky, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Byrd joined the Navy and then met and married Marjorie. He joined the Montgomery Police Department where he worked hard and retired from the police force as Lieutenant Byrd. He then was hired on as a State of Alabama employee and worked in the youth facility at Mt. Meigs. He was a hard worker, and had several side jobs through the years so his family could have the best. His favorite place to eat was Chris’ Hot Dogs. He never met a stranger and treated everyone as a friend. Everyone he met enjoyed his witty sense of humor.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at 1:00pm at Leak Memory Chapel with a Celebration of Life at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Tyner, Jerry Ivey, John Kolasky,Jr., John Kolasky,III, Jim Langdale, and Ronnie Pate.
The family would like to give special thanks to MICU at Baptist South and to Baptist Hospice for their excellent care throughout the past few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the children's department at Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama, in memory of James Byrd.
