New Bern, NC Sgt. Major James E. Byrd, Sr. (U.S. Army Ret.), 75, of New Bern, died November 20, 2013 at CarolinaEast Medical Center. He served his country in the U.S.Army where he retired in 1982 and he was a Purple Heart recipient. He was a member of Grantham Lodge No. 725 and the New Bern York Rite. He is survived by his wife, Herta Z. Byrd, two sons, Harry R. Byrd of Zebulon; James E. Byrd, Jr., of New Bern; one daughter, Andrea Byrd St. Claire of Wasilla, Alaska; two brothers, Basil H. Byrd and George P. Byrd, both of New Bern; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 pm Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Cotten Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Oxford Home For Children 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565 or Wounded Warriors Project P. O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675 or to The Knight Templar Eye Foundation 1033 Long Prairie Rd. Ste. 5 Flower Mound, TX 75022. Online condolences may be made to the Byrd family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com