Ralph Byrd

Services for Gorman Ralph Byrd, 72, of Troup, will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joe Ballard and Rev. Kenny Ray officiating. Burial will be held at Pinecrest Cemetery in Troup under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Byrd passed away July 2, 2012 under the care of Hospice of East Texas. He was born December 21, 1939 in Lufkin to Gorman Clyde and Gladys Selman Byrd. Ralph served in the US Army entering in 1961. He was a member of Masonic Lodge of Tyler #233, and of Waco Scottish Rite and the Sharon Shrine Temple. In 1962, Ralph began his career with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrolman. In 1972, he joined the newly formed Motor Vehicle Theft section of the Criminal Law Enforcement Division, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He retired from the DPS in September 1993, and in October 1993 formed the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force where he served as coordinator for seven years. Ralph was a member of First Baptist Church in Troup. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Kim Stevenson. . Ralph is survived by his loving family including his wife of 30 years, Judy Byrd of Troup; children, Teresa Byrd and Mari Naegli and husband James all of Tyler, and Gina Stephenson of Lewisville, John Braswell and wife Charlotte, Bryan Braswell and wife Suzzette, Terry Braswell and wife Mary and Carol Nelson and husband Matt all of Troup; sister, Margaret Forse and niece Linda Byrd, both of Lufkin. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be the DPS Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Royce Jordan, Chuck Moore, Joe Brown, Jim York, Lon Anderson, Wayne Hellen, Lee Tindall, Charles Smith, O.L. Guy, Kenneth Henson, Henry Lipe, James Cumby, Burl Reed, Jack Allen, George Kieney, Billy Vernon, Gary King, Joe Willmon, Darwin Fuller and David Page. Visitation is scheduled from 10:00 –11:00 AM, Thursday, July 5, 2012, 1 hour prior to the service at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Memorials in honor of Ralph Byrd may be given to the Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave, Tyler, 75702 or the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20004.

Ralph Byrd

December 21, 1939 - July 2, 2012