Thomas Edward Byrd
Thomas Edward Byrd left this life on Tuesday afternoon, April 27, 2021, in his home in rural Marshfield, at the age of 73. He was surrounded by loving family members singing him to heaven with a favorite hymn, “I’ll Fly Away.” Tom was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2013, and he worked incredibly hard to live -- surviving surgery, radiation, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and many hospitalizations in St. Louis and in Springfield, to spend as much time as he could with his beloved wife and family. Throughout his illness, he looked on the bright side and was grateful for every day. His life was a testament of unconditional love, service to others, and faith in God.
Tom was born on July 5, 1947, to Elston and Vada (Mudd) Byrd. He had two older brothers, Jack and Ken. Later their family welcomed brother Dan and sisters Nancy and Bobbi. Since Tom and Ken were so close in age, Grandma Byrd helped care for him as a baby, and he loved her dearly. He grew up on his family dairy farm, now designated as a Century Farm, land that he has farmed his entire life. A lifelong Christian, Tom was a loyal member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where he attended as recently as two weeks ago. Tom graduated from Marshfield High School in 1965.
Tom married Connie Rae Davis on August 17, 1965. Their long, happy marriage was filled with love, laughter, and dedication. A few weeks ago, Tom received a letter from a member of his church family who said her relationship goal was for her husband to love her like Tom loved Connie. Anyone who witnessed their bond would be likely to want the same.
Their three children, Marla Jo, Mark Edward, and Michelle Lee brought joy to their lives. Their home was the site of birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and the best barbecues ever. Tom and Connie loved to travel to visit family and enjoyed several cruises in the Caribbean and to Alaska. Tom had quite a sense of humor and being teased by Tom was a sign of affection. Tom enjoyed Independence Day celebrations in “Byrd Holler,” which were legendary. He loved that so many of his immediate and extended family lived close by. Tom was a loving son and brother, who treasured the Byrd tradition of Saturday morning family breakfasts where everyone enjoyed his mother’s special biscuits and jelly. Another special tradition that Tom appreciated was the exchange of gag gifts at Byrd Christmas celebrations. Tom and Connie loved and indulged their pets and had a special affection for Yorkies.
Tom was always there for friends, family, and church family when they needed help. Tom was also generous to strangers. More than once a check would arrive in the mail to repay a loan that Tom had made to someone whose car had broken down or run out of gas near his home and was fortunate enough to have Tom help them. No one person knows all the stories of Tom’s service and generosity. Tom was a peacemaker and served as a calm voice of reason with the occasional, slight exception of a spirited but good-natured political conversation.
Tom started his working life at Producer’s Creamery and spent twenty-five years working at Roadway Trucking, where he made many friends. After retiring from Roadway, Tom continued to farm. Tom enjoyed farming so much that, when asked what he would do if he won the lottery, he responded, “I guess I would just farm it all away.” For several years, he managed the recycling center in Marshfield, providing a sustainable option for citizens while demonstrating the value of honest, hard work to the volunteers who served there. Tom was a public servant who was especially proud to serve Webster county citizens as a County Commissioner for four years. Tom advocated for fair treatment for all and was recognized for his devotion and was awarded the Webster County Democrat of the Year.
Tom believed in his wife Connie’s abilities and talent and was fully supportive when she decided to turn her mostly self-taught photography hobby into a business, Connie’s Portraits, after their youngest child started school. Connie ran her successful business for almost 20 years and Tom was a frequent presence, fixing things, building new sets, and helping however he could.
Tom was preceded in death by many members of his cherished family: his parents, his grandparents, his brother Jack, his parents-in-law, Otis and Margaret Davis, his brother-in-law, Gary Morse, and many aunts, uncles, and friends. Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Connie; the children who made him immensely proud, Marla Cary and her husband Mike, of Marshfield, Mark Byrd of Marshfield, and Michelle Stokes-Byrd and her wife Tarsha, of Richmond, Virginia. Tom adored his grandchildren: Marlee McShane and her husband Tim, Taylor and Peyton Byrd, Emma Cary, Alexus, Deja, and Amyah Harding, and K.J. Austin. What a blessing it is that Tom lived to know and adore three great-grandchildren, Oaklee, Case, and Layke McShane. Tom’s treasured brothers and sisters who survive him are Ken Byrd and his wife, Ramona, Dan Byrd and his wife, Teresa, Nancy Morse, and Bobbi McClafferty and her husband Pat. Tom was a devoted brother-in-law to Connie’s sisters, Margie Davis, Kathy Davis and her wife Jennifer Joslin. Tom is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family.
Memorial services for Tom Byrd will be at Fraker Funeral Home with the visitation on Saturday, May 1 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and the funeral on Sunday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m. Tom will be buried in Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church cemetery, near his home, alongside his parents and many loved ones.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund. Donations may be made in care of the funeral home. Special thanks to Dr. Roger Holden, Tom’s oncologist who became a friend, and to those who took such wonderful care of Tom in his final weeks. In memory of Tom, please perform an act of service, done with great love..
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