Warren "Chug" Byrd
September 2, 1923 ~ December 22, 2013
WARREN "CHUG" BYRD
1923-2013
Warren Turnbull Byrd, Sr.- "Chug" to his family and friends- passed gently away at his home in Vienna, Sunday, December 22. He was 90 years young.
Born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Crisfield September 2, 1923, Chug lived and worked most of his life in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Between his high school years and completing his degree in agronomy from the University of Maryland in 1951, he served in the Armed Forces in Bakersfield, California and held several positions with the Department of Commerce and the USDA in Beltsville, Md. In 1952 he took a position with the Central Intelligence Agency where he worked until early retirement in 1972. He married Betty Jo Jackson of Abernathy, Texas on December 23, 1952. They raised five children, primarily in Vienna, Virginia, though three of the children were born while the family was posted overseas in Cyprus and Okinawa. After his retirement, Chug started the Vienna Landscape and Garden Service which he ran for 12 years, perhaps in partial fulfillment of his love of people, plants and the land. He later returned to the CIA as a part-time private contractor, where he worked until just a few years ago.
Chug loved music, excelled at telling stories (especially tall tales), had a robust sense of humor, adored his wife and family, was loyal to all members of his extended family, and treasured his time out of doors -particularly in his beloved garden.
Besides his wonderful singing voice, his constant companion was his harmonica. He and his wife created some beautiful harmonies.
In every realm of business and play, he was a natural leader, creating a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie among his fellow coworkers, staff and team members. He was an Eagle Scout who later became Scout Master to several Boy Scout troops. He also served as the manager of a championship Vienna Babe Ruth baseball team. He was a natural athlete who appreciated the value of sport. He was a Golden Gloves boxer during his college years.
He was a member of Toastmasters, and prized his many years participating, with his wife, in a Personal History writing class at the Vienna Community Center.
Chug had that special ability to inspire those around him- family, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues- to accomplish more than they thought they were capable of. He always went out of his way to help others. He delighted in the simplest pleasures and treasures of life- family gatherings, good food, spirited song, the comings and goings of birds and squirrels, the seasonal ebbs and flows of the plant kingdom.
He loved having his hands in the soil, a song in his heart, a sonnet in his head. His feet were planted firmly in the earth, while his head made company with the clouds.
He was a wonderful writer and a righteous fighter: a man of some girth, considerable mirth and immeasurable worth. He will be missed, but his wonderful spirit and his abiding influence will live on forever.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Jo; a son, Warren, Jr. and his wife Sue and their daughter, Susanna; a son, Duncan and his wife Tracy and their son Duncan, Jr. and daughter Whitney; a daughter, Susan, and her husband, Edward, and their sons Mason and Noah; a son, David, and his wife, Sharon, and their son Nate and daughter Kelly; and a daughter, Elizabeth.
He is also survived by his brothers Willis and Jack. Chug was preceded in death by his brother, Gene, who he considered his best friend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be sent to the Nature Conservancy.
You might also consider planting a tree in his memory.
Memorial services and internment will be private.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
1923-2013
Warren Turnbull Byrd, Sr.- "Chug" to his family and friends- passed gently away at his home in Vienna, Sunday, December 22. He was 90 years young.
Born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Crisfield September 2, 1923, Chug lived and worked most of his life in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Between his high school years and completing his degree in agronomy from the University of Maryland in 1951, he served in the Armed Forces in Bakersfield, California and held several positions with the Department of Commerce and the USDA in Beltsville, Md. In 1952 he took a position with the Central Intelligence Agency where he worked until early retirement in 1972. He married Betty Jo Jackson of Abernathy, Texas on December 23, 1952. They raised five children, primarily in Vienna, Virginia, though three of the children were born while the family was posted overseas in Cyprus and Okinawa. After his retirement, Chug started the Vienna Landscape and Garden Service which he ran for 12 years, perhaps in partial fulfillment of his love of people, plants and the land. He later returned to the CIA as a part-time private contractor, where he worked until just a few years ago.
Chug loved music, excelled at telling stories (especially tall tales), had a robust sense of humor, adored his wife and family, was loyal to all members of his extended family, and treasured his time out of doors -particularly in his beloved garden.
Besides his wonderful singing voice, his constant companion was his harmonica. He and his wife created some beautiful harmonies.
In every realm of business and play, he was a natural leader, creating a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie among his fellow coworkers, staff and team members. He was an Eagle Scout who later became Scout Master to several Boy Scout troops. He also served as the manager of a championship Vienna Babe Ruth baseball team. He was a natural athlete who appreciated the value of sport. He was a Golden Gloves boxer during his college years.
He was a member of Toastmasters, and prized his many years participating, with his wife, in a Personal History writing class at the Vienna Community Center.
Chug had that special ability to inspire those around him- family, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues- to accomplish more than they thought they were capable of. He always went out of his way to help others. He delighted in the simplest pleasures and treasures of life- family gatherings, good food, spirited song, the comings and goings of birds and squirrels, the seasonal ebbs and flows of the plant kingdom.
He loved having his hands in the soil, a song in his heart, a sonnet in his head. His feet were planted firmly in the earth, while his head made company with the clouds.
He was a wonderful writer and a righteous fighter: a man of some girth, considerable mirth and immeasurable worth. He will be missed, but his wonderful spirit and his abiding influence will live on forever.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Jo; a son, Warren, Jr. and his wife Sue and their daughter, Susanna; a son, Duncan and his wife Tracy and their son Duncan, Jr. and daughter Whitney; a daughter, Susan, and her husband, Edward, and their sons Mason and Noah; a son, David, and his wife, Sharon, and their son Nate and daughter Kelly; and a daughter, Elizabeth.
He is also survived by his brothers Willis and Jack. Chug was preceded in death by his brother, Gene, who he considered his best friend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be sent to the Nature Conservancy.
You might also consider planting a tree in his memory.
Memorial services and internment will be private.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Duncan, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. You probably don’t remember me but we sang in Regional Choir back in 1973 (you from Oakton, me from Madison). I have met your dad a couple of times growing up in Vienna. Blessings to you and your family at this time. Patty Payne (Plum Street Kid)
We knew Chug as participants in the Vienna Personal History group. We ever so enjoyed his humor, his stories of growing up and his years of service to his country. His humor was ever so infectious and at times outlandish, and we couldn’t get enough listening to stories of life on the Eastern Shore. He’d enjoy his own stories and end up laughing with us. Chug made the day brighter for all of us fortunate enough to know him.