Richard Keith Byrd Sr.

Richard retired after 18 years at Frank Kent Motor Company/Honda of Fort Worth where he worked in several different positions. Owner of Byrd Fina Gas Station, B&H Hobbies, and Byrd Aviation over the years. He was a member of the AMA, Johnson County Flyers Club, and the Fort Worth Thunderbirds R/C Club.

Richard was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 31st, 1950. He was the fifth child of five children born to Jury and Ruby Byrd. He graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1967. It was during his childhood that he developed interest in music, drag racing, and model airplanes. Little did he know then, that two of those interested would turn into a lifetime of memories.

Richard met the love of his life, Pam, at the local gas station and soon married on September 5th, 1968. From that point on they started their adventures together. Richard had a love for the guitar, which he started playing around the age of eight. Mainly self-taught with a few lessons here and there along the way. Played in several bands over the years and was an accomplished guitarist. He would meet his best friend Robert Anderson during this time.

His interest continued into drag racing. It started on the street and then onto the dragstrip. Richard had an incredible mind and forward thinking. He built all his own race engines and even built his own race car. What he didn’t know, he would study and gain knowledge to do it himself. Porting and polishing the cylinder heads night after night to be one of the quickest guys on the street. His work ethic was second to none. His ’65 Chevelle was pretty mean back in the 70’s as well as his ’68 Camaro.

Richard moved on from there and into the model aviation world. 43-year career in remote control model aviation. It started with building and flying a model airplane in a field behind a college. Into building and designing world class competition models for his sons. His models won National Championships and would win numerous events around the country. Some would fly in the biggest contest in the world. Model airplanes took him and his family across the country from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between. He was a true Master Builder.

Richard enjoyed many other things as well. He loved to fish. Anything from bass to catfish to carp. Fished in a few local tournaments for fun. He even went skiing at some point. He loved to tinker on anything and everything. There weren’t too many times he wouldn’t have something torn apart and fixing it. He passed those down to anyone and everyone that crossed his path. Anything can be fixed or repaired in his mind.

Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Nobody could love his family more than he. Survived by his sweet wife Pam, three sons Rick and his wife Kim, Bryan and his wife Chanda, and Stephen and his wife Heather. Nine wonderful grandchildren that meant the world to him Bryce, Cadie, Carlie, Cayden, Hayden, Alice, Grace, Kynslee, and Easton. We can’t leave out Milo, his shop dog.

Funeral services will be at Laurel Land Memorial Park. Fort Worth, Texas. Viewing will be Tuesday February 22, 2022, 5:00-7:00. Service will be Wednesday February 23, 2022, at 1:00. Kenny Cates will be officiating.