John R. Byrd

On May 13, 2020, Johnny Byrd hit the ball out of the park, rounded the bases and slid into Heaven. The crowd went wild! John Robert Byrd was born on March 21, 1927 in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was the 8th of nine children born to Walter C. and Elizabeth V. Byrd. Johnny moved from Bluefield to Indian Head, MD with his family during World War II where he attended Lackey High School. He excelled in academics as well as sports; he played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. As class clown, deportment was not his strong point. At Lackey he: met his forever sweetheart, Mary Evelyn Jenkins, enlisted in the Naval Reserves, began training, missed his high school graduation and was called to active duty just as the war ended...Whew! After his discharge Johnny began his career as a Lithographer. He worked first at Judd and Detweiler, Inc. printing National Geographic Magazine and much later at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving producing Commemorative Stamps. Johnny converted to Catholicism prior to marrying Evelyn on July 31, 1948 at St. Mary's Church in Newport, MD. They lived initially in Anacostia, SE Washington, DC, saving for their "dream house" in Clinton, MD. That house was completed in 1955. They moved in and began living happily ever after. Children came, St. John the Evangelist Church was attended, the lawn was mowed and the cars washed. All the while Johnny loved to laugh and make others laugh. He loved playing baseball for the Indian Head Indians into his early 50's, watching and attending Redskins football games with his 2 brothers Jack, Dave and some high school buddies, and watching college basketball games. He loved annual Ocean City vacations, and all family gatherings. He loved Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and search-a-word puzzles. In his last years, Johnny battled dementia and Parkinson's Disease. He died peacefully at that Clinton dream house in his bed just as he had wished. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Evelyn; children Janet Sherlock (husband Thomas); John Byrd, Jr. (wife Melinda), grandchildren Jessica and Christian Sherlock (wife Sarah), plus many members of the extended Byrd and Jenkins clans. The family requests that you remember Johnny Byrd however you like. They suggest: be with your family, tell a corny joke, watch a baseball game (being sure to point out bad calls by the umpire), buy or wash a car, mow your lawn, play with your pet, listen to some jazz or bluegrass, eat peanut butter, enjoy a dessert or eat a bologna sandwich on white bread. Don't forget the mayonnaise. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John R. Byrd please visit our Sympathy Store.