Johnny Ray Byrd

Johnny Ray Byrd, 83, of Coupeville, died Oct. 6, 2007, at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Solomonville, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 1924, to Curtis Lee and Ethel Mae (Owens) Byrd. He grew up during the Depression as his family traveled from Arizona to California, Texas, Oklahoma and Washington, picking cotton and fruit wherever they could find work. At 12 years of age Johnny drove a caterpillar tractor with a forest clearing operation. In 1940 he went to work for the Western Pacific Steel shipyard as a pipe-fitters assistant.

Like many Americans his life changed dramatically when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He tried to enlist, but was told he was too young. Later, on May 3, 1943, he joined the United States Army and went through basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He was then shipped off to Scotland where he received additional training with a heavy machine gun and artillery unit. He was part of the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, fought his way through Europe, Northern France, and the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, and came through it all without a scratch.

Before he could be shipped off with his unit to the Pacific, however, the war ended and he returned to the United States where he was discharged. On Sept. 25, 1946, he married Joy May Roberts in Redondo Beach, Calif. In 1947 he reenlisted and was stationed in Guam, where he served with an engineering battalion on the oil refinery pipeline. In 1949 he returned to Europe and participated in the Berlin Blockage. Back in Los Angeles, in 1950, a telegram arrived telling him to report to Ft. Lewis, that he was to be shipped off to Korea, where he would spend the next three years during the Korean Conflict.

In 1964 he retired from the army, after 21 years of service to his country, a decorated veteran of two wars. From Ft. Benning, Ga., the family moved to Lomita, Calif., and Johnny went to work for McDonald-Douglas as a machinist from 1964 to 1969. They later spent time in Dublin, Texas, to be near Johnny’s parents on their ranch. While visiting a brother-in-law in Bellevue, Johnny found work as a custodian for the Bellevue School District where he spent the next 20 years.

In 1990 Johnny and Joy built their home in Coupeville. He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, gardening, and watching game shows and old westerns. He continued to travel, especially to spend time at his cabin in eastern Washington. A good storyteller, Johnny liked reminiscing and the company of good friends. A big man, he was sweet and gentle. He was a compassionate, goodhearted “people person.”

He is survived by his son Keith Martin Byrd of Coupeville, and daughter Margot Susanna Rowland of Auburn, Wash.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grand-child; and sister Doreen Evelyn Castle Berry of Cheyenne, Wyo.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joy in 2003; a daughter Linda Rae Wilcox in 1997; his brothers Gene Byrd in 1962 and Harold Lee Byrd in 1929.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Diabetes Association, or Whidbey Island Home Heath Care & Hospice.