Jack Lee Byrd

Jack Lee Byrd was born on a farm in the Oak Ridge Community, Feb. 27, 1932, to William and Ethel (Lloyd) Byrd. He grew up farming with his father, and attended Stroder Branch, Clippard and Oak Ridge grade schools. He attended Jackson High School where he played fullback on the football team and graduated in 1950. He also attended SEMO University.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Reserve in the fall of 1950, served 8 years as reservist during the Korean War, and gained rank of Petty Officer 1st Class working as an Aircraft Metal Smith. He was a member of the Auxiliary police in Cape Girardeau and was one of the founders of Cape Girardeau County Civil Defense Sheriff's Patrol in 1955, became Chief and Special Deputy Sheriff, and helped form the first fire protection unit in rural Cape County.

In 1963, Jack started working with Fox Products Company out of Philadelphia. In 1970 he and his father formed Tri-State Swimming Pools, Inc. which has served the tri-state area for many years.

Jack joined Oak Ridge Methodist Church when he was 12 years old and was baptized in a small creek in front of New Salem Methodist Church at Daisy, Mo. He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior on March 17, 1974, at a Lay Witness event being held at his church. In 1975 he helped start Lay Speaker Training and Certification in the Methodist church and became a certified Lay Speaker. He worked as a team member and coordinator in Lay Witness Missions covering several states. Jack served as a lay pastor in area Methodist churches for many years which included Old Appleton, Fruitland, Gravel Hill, and Fairview. Jack joined Gideons International in 1974 and served in different offices in the organization. He was also a member of the Old McKendree Chapel Board of Trustees, where he served as president for 21 years, and remained as an honorary board member.

Jack Byrd had an undying love for God and family. He possessed a fierce patriotic love for his country.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Carole Jo (Crites) celebrating 70 years of marriage last September. He is the proud father of 4 daughters, (Late) Deborah (David) Myers of Oak Ridge, MO. Carole (Brad) Sherman of Williamsburg, IA, Lisa (Brent) Crites of Jackson, MO, and Lucy (Randy) Meyer of Biehle, MO. He is also the proud grandfather of Jennifer (John) Dennis, Summer (Scott) Aufdenberg, Benjamin (Stephanie) Sherman, (Late) Hilah (Brent) Owen, Abigail (Joe) Whitsitt, Jason (Lena) Sherman, Leah (Steven) Ford, Lauren (Sam) Zahner, Madison Crites and Taylor (Tyke) Schubert. He is the proud great grandfather of Samuel, Colton, Allie, Isabella, Hudson, Nile, Emelia, Josephine, Noelle, Beaumin, Caden, Samantha, Evelyn, Ethan, Naidene, James, Sophia, Lucas, Haylee, Levi, T.J. and Baby Kysen, (due in Dec.) Jack was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ethel Byrd, daughter, Deborah Myers and granddaughter, Hilah Owen.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 4-7 PM at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
Funeral service will be Monday, August 7, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the funeral home with Pastor Brad Sherman and Pastor Gwen Streeter officiating. Burial will follow in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Gideons International or Old McKendree Chapel.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on Jack's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

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