James Donald Byrd

James Donald "Don" Byrd, 80, of Jefferson City, died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at St. Mary's Health Center. He was born on September 4, 1932, in Monroe, Georgia, the son of the late Hughlon O. and Mae Bell (Couch) Byrd. Don was a graduate of Loganville High School and North Georgia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He was united in marriage on June 9, 1956, in Rosati, Missouri to Shirley Ann Marchi who survives at the home. Don was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and promoted to First Lieutenant with the Unites States Army. He served as a commanding officer at Fort Leonard Wood during the Korean Conflict. After his service in the Army, he worked in El Paso, Texas and Long Beach, California for Military Service Company. While working for ten years at the University of Missouri Rolla computer center as a teaching assistant he earned his Masters degree in Computer Science. He also taught evening classes at the university. In 1972, he was employed in Washington D.C. with I.A.B.S.O. Iron Workers helping to set-up their computer center and serve as director. In 1977 he returned to Jefferson City and was instrumental in starting the computer center for the Missouri Senate and served as Director until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a faithful participant in the Perpetual Adoration for many years. He also was a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Other survivors include: five children, Don Byrd, Jr., Vienna, Virginia; Jeffrey (Lisa) Byrd, Four Seasons; DeAnna (David) Bokinsky, Flower Mound, Texas; David Byrd, Holts Summit; Brian Byrd, Lake Ozark; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ann Lou Brown, Piedmont, SC; and Helen Waters, Gainesville, Ga. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Millie Rustin; and two brothers, Olin Byrd, Jr.; and Johnny Byrd. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at St. Peter Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Rosati, Missouri. Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Monday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Samaritan Center, 1310 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Mo 65101; or to the American Heart Association, 915 Country Ridge Drive, Jefferson City, Mo 65109 Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.