Richard "Buddy" Byrd

A visitation for Buddy will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary, 808 East Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA 93535. A funeral service will occur Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary.

Richard Byrd was an amazing daddy, Pops, husband, Papa, and Uncle. The eldest boy of his eleven siblings and the first boy after four sisters was born on September 3, 1922, in Kirby, Mississippi to Eugene C. Byrd and Laura Ellen Johnson Byrd. The sisters were so happy to have a brother they spoiled him rotten not letting his feet touch the ground until years after he learned to walk. Even ironing his diapers and socks.

Richard attended the Mt. Olive Baptist Church School in Kirby, Mississippi before joining the U.S. Navy. In the Navy, he excelled to the rank of Navy Stewards Mate - First Class.

After returning home at the end of World War II Richard married Lula Puckett and relocated to Los Angeles, California. To this union, three children were born Norma Jean, Larry Dean, and Kevin Wayne. Sadly, Lula passed away in 1974.

As a child, he was baptized in Kirby, Ms at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where he attended faithfully. Always a very conscientious and devout Christian he joined the South Wood Baptist Church in Los Angeles where he taught Sunday school and was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, worked with the Youth, and sang in the adult choir before becoming a Deacon. Upon relocating to Quartz Hill, California he took membership with The Highlands Christian Fellowship Center and served in the Usher ministry.

In 2017 Richard relocated to Stockton Ca and became Kevin’s next-door neighbor. He was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and did volunteer work at the food bank 3 times a week. He still cut and edged his lawn and worked in his yard up until a month before passing, he had the best-looking yard on the block.

Richard loved being outdoors and working with his hands. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, making year-round trips to various bodies of water to fish and hunting trips to the California deserts and Mississippi woods. He was a Jack-of all trades. He could build or make most anything. Forever learning new skills and trades. He was a truck driver for Emsco in Los Angeles for many years when the company closed down he started working full-time in his landscaping business until he retired. He became a master watch repairman, upholster, landscaper, mechanic, and 3 times marathon runner.

He was very much loved and admired by all ages. He loved children and they loved and respected him. He served as a Boy Scout leader for many years and with other youth organizations even after his own children were grown.

After many years of being a widower, Richard married Thelma Boone. They were married twenty-three years before her death.

Richard "AKA" Uncle Buddy, Pops/Daddy, Papa, was the last of his generation.

The man many loved and respected who ran his first marathon at the tender age of 63 and ran steadily to his eternal home on October 2, 2022 leaves to cherish many precious memories of him and a life well lived, daughter, Norma Saunders of Mojave, Ca, son, Kevin (Brenda) of Stockton, Ca.

Six grandchildren: Rhea, Crystal, Dytanion, Deon, Keia, and April, fourteen great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends spanning four generations.

Preceding him to meet his maker and savior were his parents, Eugene and Laura Byrd, his son, Larry Dean Byrd, and his sisters, Greta, Ollie, Annie, Edna, Madria, Emma, baby boy Jessie, and his brothers, Printe, Phillip and Willie.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.joshuamortuary.com for the Byrd family.