James Byrd Jr., age 74, of Caledonia, passed away peacefully, Thursday morning, March 28, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family following a few month battle with cancer.
On November 12, 1938, Jim was born in Marion, Ohio, one of nine children of the late James and Ida Mae (Austin) Byrd. He attended Marion Harding High School, where he received All-Ohio football honors.
For twenty one years, Jim worked in maintenance for J. G. Clark in Edison, which then became Field Container in Marion. He also worked as a foreman for the Greif Brothers in Marion.
Jim found a loving friend and companion in Mary McGhee. They were married on November 4, 1977, in the Lee St. Presbyterian Church in Marion. They have cherished the simple things in life during their 35 years together, like spending time on the porch swing and making each other laugh through any and everything.
A master of all trades, Jim could tackle any challenge you gave him and he wouldn’t quit until it was perfect. He believed any job worth doing, was a job worth doing right. Proof of what he could do can be seen all throughout his house and those of his family and friends, as he did most all of the plumbing, electrical and carpentry work himself. He also enjoyed tinkering with most anything he could get his hands on, especially cars.
With a love for fishing, Jim enjoyed going to all of the nearby state parks to spend the day out on the water casting a line.
To say Jim was ornery and mischievous would be an understatement. He loved to prod and tease his family and friends…it was simply his way of showing you how much he cared for you.
Most important of all to Jim was his family. He was a family man through and through, cherishing every moment spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Jim will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Mary Byrd of Caledonia; five children: Patricia (Don) Foertsch of Nevada, Rick (Amy Huckaba) Byrd of Marion, Jamie (Doug James) Best of Bucyrus, Jason (Christina) Byrd of Michigan, and Jeremy Byrd of Caledonia; three step children: Michael J. Steiner of Marion, Tami (Mike) Reilly of Columbus, and Tina (Cliff) Hamilton of Hilliard; 14 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; two brothers: Paul (Karen) Byrd of Galion, and John (Connie) Byrd of Marion; a sister, Judy (Bob) Griffith of Marion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Jim was preceded in death by four brothers: Robert, Gary, Jack and Ronald Byrd; and two sisters: Patricia Byrd and Doris Howell.
His family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will also be held there on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., with Hospice Chaplain Pamela Lamb-Hart officiating. Burial will follow in Claridon Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice and the American Cancer Society, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve James’ family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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