Born in Duluth, Georgia, to the late Lyle Woodrow Byrd and Kathryn Tench Byrd on July 14, 1940. His parents moved to Gastonia, NC where he lived until moving to Greer, SC with his family in the 1970's.
He is survived by his dearest friend and companion, Pat LeRoy whom he dearly loved, as she did him. His beloved children, whom he loved with all his heart and soul, Emmit Byrd of Mobile, Alabama, Tammy (Jimmy) Wilson of Travelers Rest and Lisa Lopez of Dacusville. His precious grandchildren that gave him the name, "Papa", Crystal Ortega, Natasha Elkamand and Payton Harris; Hunter Lopez, Amanda Phan, Nathan Byrd, and Gordon Byrd; Logan Wilson, Noah and Avery. His brothers Jerry (Sylvia) Byrd, and Richard Glenn Byrd. Brother-in-law, Marshall Harris. As well as four great-grandchildren and two on the way.
He also leaves behind many dear friends he has met along his life's journey, from playing baseball,(which he was close to playing professional), to his days in the Navy. He served on the USS Independence, US Saratoga, and the one he enjoyed the most the USS Essex. He raised and bred his own line of pit bulls, he worked the stables at the Biltmore Estate and trained and worked with his late daughter Candy, to win the Grand Nationals three years straight.
He enjoyed his work in the Fish Camps where he worked for a number of years and told many stories of his experiences there, even meeting and talking with Gov. Carroll Campbell and many other influential people.
Rex was a Mason, currently a Stewart of the Keowee Lodge and Past Master of the Keowee Lodge. He is well known among many of the local lodges.
Rex was currently employed with Pickens County and met many people at the various recycle centers.
Rex also leaves behind his dear friends of his companion Pat that he loved and thought of as family.
Rex was a member of Trinity Presbyterian church in Travelers Rest, he attended East Pickens with Pat until Covid. Rex loved his Lord, his family and all those he called friends.
Rex was predeceased by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Spittle Byrd, his parents, his daughter, Candy Teresa Byrd, sisters, Patsy Harris, Gayle B. Lingerfelt, Wilma Carolyn Byrd, and brother, Ross Byrd.
A visitation for Rex will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home, 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, South Carolina 29671, followed by a funeral service at 6:00 PM. He will be laid to rest next to his dear wife, Mary at Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte NC.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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