~ IN MEMORY ~
Navy veteran, DL Capt. Lester Morgan Byrd
August 2, 1938 ~ July 11, 2024
We note the passing of retired Delta Air Lines
pilot and Delta Golden Wings member Captain Lester Morgan Byrd, age 85. Les joined Delta Air Lines 01-03-1967 and retired
in 1996 based Dallas. Widowed in 2019, Les is survived by his son Jeffrey (Ellen)
and by his grandchildren.
Obituary information is available online at
https://www.bobnealandsons.com/obituary/lester-byrd or at
https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/obituaries/name/lester-byrd-obituary?pid=207306938&v=batesville
Services are pending at
this time.
PCN memorial site
Lester's Obituary
Lester Morgan Byrd was born on August 2, 1938 to
John and Jettie Byrd. The family made their home in Palestine, Arkansas where
Les shared his memories of childhood with six siblings. While living in Arkansas he attended Salem
Methodist Church with his family. He
attended the public schools in the nearby community of Moro and later continued
his education at Hendrix College in Conway.
On February 16, 1959, Les was commissioned with
the United States Navy as an aviator and became a fighter pilot. He would
return home to marry Wanda June Coker on December 30, 1960. Together they
followed his military career and would call many places home including
California and Japan.
In 1967 Les joined Delta Airlines as a pilot. He
spent a year based in Chicago and in 1968 moved to Arlington after being
stationed in Dallas/Fort Worth. Les remained with Delta Airlines until his
retirement in 1996.
Les had many hobbies and interests. Through the
years, with June by his side, he built custom homes in Arlington and later
owned and operated an antique store called Byrd’s Happy Hollow in Canton, TX.
Some of his most cherished memories came from the time he spent riding dirt
bikes, water skiing and snow skiing with his sons, Jeff and Scott.
Les was active in his community as a Mason and
served as Key Man at the Ft. Worth hangar as a member of the Quiet Birdmen.
On July 11, 2024, at the age of 85, Les passed
away in Arlington, TX. He was preceded in his journey by his parents, John Kyle
and Jettie Jones Byrd, wife, Wanda June Byrd, son, Scott Lee Byrd, two
brothers, Bill and John Dale, and three sisters, Lou Byrd, Joanna Byrd McLeod,
and Bonnie Byrd.
Les is lovingly remembered by his son Jeffrey Byrd
and his wife Ellen of Burlingame, California, and his brother Farel Byrd of
Collierville, Tennessee. He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Rachel
Nannette Byrd, Natalie Ruth Byrd and Aaron Jacob Byrd, and very special friends
John and Chris Conn. Les will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all
those whose lives he touched.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
https://www.tutormemorial.com/obituary/wanda-byrd
: Wanda “June” Byrd
July 29, 1937 - June 3,
2019
June Byrd, nee Coker, of
Arlington, TX, 81, passed away June 3, 2019 peacefully at home. She graduated
from Pontotoc High School and attended Itawamba College. She married
Lester Byrd on December 30, 1960. June and Les travelled widely while Les
served as a pilot in the US Navy, including long stays in Japan and
California. They settled in Arlington Texas to raise their two sons, Jeff
and Scott, when Les became a pilot for Delta Airlines in 1967. In Les’
retirement years, they spent more time in Pontotoc with family and friends.
June was an avid bridge player, reaching the Life Master level, and was a
formidable cook and seamstress. Burial will be in the Pontotoc City
Cemetery…………….
Les, better known a LMB (Last Minute Byrd) was one of my true favorites to fly with. He kept me laughing every time we flew together. His favorite expression was, "You're Fast as Bastard". God he was funny. LmB will never die!! He was Fast as a Bastard!! Goodbye Les, see ya soon! Cav
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