Jack Byrd

Jack Lee Byrd was born on a farm in the Oak Ridge community, Feb. 27, 1932, to William and Ethel Lloyd Byrd. Jack passed away Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at his home in Oak Ridge.

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 Southeast Missouri State University.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Reserve in fall 1950, served eight years as a reservist during the Korean War and gained the rank of petty officer first class, working as an aircraft metalsmith. 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 Girardeau County.

In 1963, Jack started working with Fox Products Co. 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. 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 at 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 Old McKendree Chapel Board of Trustees, where he served as president for 21 years, and remained as an honorary board member.

Jack Byrd

Jack Byrd

Jack 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 four daughters, the late Deborah (David) Myers of Oak Ridge, Carole (Brad) Sherman of Williamsburg, Iowa, Lisa (Brent) Crites of Jackson and Lucy (Randy) Meyer of Biehle, Missouri. He is also the proud grandfather of Jennifer (John) Dennis, Summer (Scott) Aufdenberg, Benjamin (Stephanie) Sherman, the 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 December).

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ethel Byrd; daughter, Deborah Myers; and granddaughter, Hilah Owen.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 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 of Old McKendree Chapel.

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