John William Byrne, Jr.

John William Byrne, Jr., age 78, peacefully went to be with the Lord and preceding family members on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. He was born in Austin on May 23rd 1933 to Louise Blakeslee Byrne and John William Byrne Sr.

John had a generosity of heart and was known for his service and compassion to Church, family, and strangers. He carried a care package of food in his car, and when he was on his way to or from assisting the elderly to their medical appointments, he frequently delivered these care packages to those less fortunate who stood along the Austin roadways. He was a member of St. Ignatius Parish; he joyfully participated in the Knights of Columbus activities as a Fourth Degree Knight.

John was preceded by his loving wife, Mary K. Pruitt Byrne.

His light-hearted spirit will live forever in the memory of his loving children, their families, and friends: Linda Goertz and husband, Richard; Katherine Sikes and husband, Roger; Margaret Shoemaker and husband, Curtis; J.T. Byrne and wife Brenda; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and E.J. Pruitt and wife Lorie.

Family and friends are welcome to join in the celebration of John’s life. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, with recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2011.

A Celebratory Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W. Oltorf Street. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 South IH- 35. Following the interment, family and friends are welcome to gather at the Emeritus at Beckett Meadows for a reception, 7709 Beckett Road, Austin, TX 78749.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Austin Firefighters Outreach Fund at www.austinfirefightersfund.org or they may be sent to 7537 Cameron Rd., Austin TX 78752.