Richard Byrd

Richard Byrd Sr., 74, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2014, while in the company of family members at his home. Richard was born in Fulton, Missouri, on January 16, 1940, a son of Nellie Gertrude (Henderson) Byrd and Otis Woodrow Byrd Sr. Richard attended George Washington Carver Elementary school and Fulton High School, Fulton, Missouri. He received his GED from Hutch Juco, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Fulton, Missouri. Richard started working for Cessna Aircraft in Hutchinson, Kansas as a machinist. In August of 1976, Richard began working for the National Cooperative Refinery Association, McPherson, Kansas. Through the years he was a Utility 3 worker, in the Feed Prep Unit, the Coker, and Laboratory Departments and retired in March of 1986. After his retirement he began working for Dale Powell as the manager for YOU STORE IT. Richard was married to Betty Marie Jones on November 30, 1957, at Warrenton, Missouri. She died on July 11, 1974. Richard then married Juanita Navarro on November 1, 1976, at McPherson, Kansas. Richard is survived by his children, Timothy Byrd and Richard Byrd Jr. and his wife Michelle, all of McPherson, Kansas, and Denise Collucci and her husband David of Dillingham, Washington; his brothers and sisters, Kenneth Byrd and his wife Anna of McPherson, Kansas, Otis Byrd Jr. and his wife Alfreda of Fulton, Missouri, Jerry Byrd of Fulton, Missouri, Garry Byrd of McPherson, Kansas, Ann Gross and her husband James of McPherson, Kansas, Ella Williams of Kingdom City, Missouri, and William Byrd of Fulton, Missouri; three grandchildren, Kyra Byrd, Kaven Byrd, and Krayton Byrd; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Byrd Sr. and Nellie Byrd; his wife, Betty Marie Byrd; a brother, Robert Byrd; and a sister, Carolyn Fisher. Friends are invited to call on Sunday, September 7, 2014 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas. The funeral service will be held at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014 with Reverend Gregory Durant officiating. The final resting place will be at the McPherson Cemetery McPherson, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the Richard Byrd Sr. Memorial Fund and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home, 222 West Euclid Street, McPherson, Kansas 67460.