Jerry William Byrne

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 N Sierra Hwy, Newhall CA 91321. A reception will follow for family and friends at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24443 McBean Parkway, Valencia CA 91355

Jerry was born in Monterey Park, California to William and Carolyn Byrne on December 28, 1938. In 1938, Monterey Park at that time was called Wilmar. Jerry went to school in Highland Park, California and graduated from Franklin High School. Jerry married Yolanda Olivia Melendez on February 13, 1960, in Los Angeles.

In the summer of 1963, Jerry started work as a package car delivery driver for UPS until 1973/74 when he transitioned to a tractor trailer Feeder driver. In July of 2013, Jerry retired from UPS after 50 years of service. At that time Jerry was the top tractor trailer feeder driver in seniority in the United States who had 50 years or more of service. UPS estimated that Jerry logged over two million miles in his 50-year UPS career. Jerry received many safe driving awards throughout the years and also received a commendation from the California Highway Patrol for his assistance with another disabled tractor trailer on the freeway.

Jerry was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He loved his wife Yolanda and two children, Marie and Eric and worked hard to provide for them. Jerry was the baby in his family and was proud of his older brothers, Merle, Phil, Bob and Dick who served in the military and Coast Guard. He also loved his older sister Gloria who kept Jerry out of trouble in his younger years. Jerry also had numerous nieces and nephews who he was proud of.

Jerry loved to go boating and fishing in his free time. He also loved to go target shooting in the desert and was an excellent shot with flying clay targets. Before his career with UPS, Jerry was an electrician apprentice for a short time and helped install electrical wiring at California State University Northridge when it was being built in the late 1950’s and enjoyed building outdoor electrical lighting and other projects at his home through the years as a hobby.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Yolanda. Jerry is survived by his children, Marie and Eric; his daughter-in-law Lorri, his brothers Bob and Dick; grandchildren Jacob, Nathan, Lauren and Michael, and great-grandchild, Ryder.

Pallbearers will be Eric Byrne, Dennis Melendez, David Hancock, Jacob Byrne, Nathan Byrne and Michael Byrne.

The Byrne family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to staff members Loraine, Heather and Karen at Healing Care Hospice.