Robert J. Byrd
November 11, 1926 ~ July 11, 2017
Robert J. Byrd (Birdie), age 90, passed away at his home in Vienna, Virginia on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.
A World War II veteran, Birdie was fittingly born on Veterans (Armistice) Day, November 11, 1926, to Eldridge and Elizabeth Byrd. He grew up in Northeast Washington DC.
When asked what his advice would be to his newest great-grandchild, it was, “Do as I say, not as I did.” Birdie lived life his own way, and his life was well lived. While perhaps he may have been a headstrong young man, he grew into a good-humored, kind, and generous good man.
Birdie was barely 15 when the US entered WWII, and joined the fight two years later. He dropped out of high school at age 16 and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. “I am signing your death warrant,” his father warned him when giving consent.
Birdie was assigned to the USS Barnett and was on deck in April of 1945 when the US invaded Okinawa. He distinctly remembered the terrible sight of Japanese suicide bombers as they dived at ships during the battle. The Barnett was not hit by any bombers but did sustain damage via friendly fire.
At the end of the war Birdie left the Barnett in Boston and eventually exited the Navy in 1946 to become a civilian. He went back to school, earned his diploma, and soon began a career with Washington Gas Light Company, which lasted 37 years.
Some of Birdie’s favorite things included hobby carpentry, reading (especially Vince Flynn novels), singing Irish songs and drinking American beer. He loved all sports, tennis, golf, the Nats and the Redskins. He loved spending time with his friends at the local VFW Post 9274.
Above all, Birdie was a family man and was always willing to help out his own. He enjoyed reading his morning paper, making his signature breakfast of bacon and eggs, which all his grandchildren looked forward to.
Preceded in death by his wife Jean Davidson in 1966, Birdie raised their two children alone. Left to remember and honor his life are his daughter, Donna and son, Alan (Claudia); four surviving grandchildren, Eric (Karin), Joseph (Crystal), Jenna (Connor) and Bill (Katelyn); and nine great-grandchildren, Robin, Taylor, Liam, Alex, Cameron, Addison, Matthew, Dylan and Cole. Also preceded in death by son-in-law Gary, and grandson Ryan.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
A World War II veteran, Birdie was fittingly born on Veterans (Armistice) Day, November 11, 1926, to Eldridge and Elizabeth Byrd. He grew up in Northeast Washington DC.
When asked what his advice would be to his newest great-grandchild, it was, “Do as I say, not as I did.” Birdie lived life his own way, and his life was well lived. While perhaps he may have been a headstrong young man, he grew into a good-humored, kind, and generous good man.
Birdie was barely 15 when the US entered WWII, and joined the fight two years later. He dropped out of high school at age 16 and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. “I am signing your death warrant,” his father warned him when giving consent.
Birdie was assigned to the USS Barnett and was on deck in April of 1945 when the US invaded Okinawa. He distinctly remembered the terrible sight of Japanese suicide bombers as they dived at ships during the battle. The Barnett was not hit by any bombers but did sustain damage via friendly fire.
At the end of the war Birdie left the Barnett in Boston and eventually exited the Navy in 1946 to become a civilian. He went back to school, earned his diploma, and soon began a career with Washington Gas Light Company, which lasted 37 years.
Some of Birdie’s favorite things included hobby carpentry, reading (especially Vince Flynn novels), singing Irish songs and drinking American beer. He loved all sports, tennis, golf, the Nats and the Redskins. He loved spending time with his friends at the local VFW Post 9274.
Above all, Birdie was a family man and was always willing to help out his own. He enjoyed reading his morning paper, making his signature breakfast of bacon and eggs, which all his grandchildren looked forward to.
Preceded in death by his wife Jean Davidson in 1966, Birdie raised their two children alone. Left to remember and honor his life are his daughter, Donna and son, Alan (Claudia); four surviving grandchildren, Eric (Karin), Joseph (Crystal), Jenna (Connor) and Bill (Katelyn); and nine great-grandchildren, Robin, Taylor, Liam, Alex, Cameron, Addison, Matthew, Dylan and Cole. Also preceded in death by son-in-law Gary, and grandson Ryan.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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Bob was truly “a good man.” He will be missed.
For my part, I’ll always cherish the memory of dancing with Pop at the VFW. What a smooth dancer! And Dave will miss trading jokes with Pop. They did a lot laughing together.
Ada & Dave Evans