Obituary of Bob Byrd

Bob Byrd, 71, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Friday, April 22, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Byrd was born December 11, 1939, in Texas County Missouri, to the late J.C. "Buck" and Edith (Twidwell) Byrd. A 1957 Doniphan High School graduate, Mr. Byrd was a stand-out basketball player, scoring 432 points his senior year. Upon graduation, he continued both his education and basketball career at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, earning his B.S.E. Mr. Byrd then became a Doniphan High School teacher where he taught 32 of his 36 years, mostly teaching Science and Health. He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Community Teachers Association, serving as president and holding other positions also. As a Doniphan High school coach, he coached every men's sport including baseball, football, basketball and track and field. During his tenure at Doniphan High School, Coach Byrd was the recipient of many awards. In 2009 the Doniphan High School baseball field was dedicated in his honor and was renamed "The Bob Byrd Field". On May 8, 1992, he recorded his 300th win in Dons baseball and on September 16, 1994, he reached his 400th baseball career coaching victory. All total he achieved a career of 423 baseball wins with 370 of those wins at Doniphan High School. He was named Ozark Foothills Conference "Coach of the Year" 8 times. Mr. Byrd enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family on the Current River where he knew the name and history of every bend and fishing hole. He was a Doniphan Volunteer Fireman, former Lions Club member and had served as past president and held other positions as well. He was named "VFW Man of the Year" in 1979. Mr. Byrd was of the Methodist Faith. Coach Byrd was a man dedicated to the community sports programs. He developed the "Doniphan Summer Park Program" and when this program was first initiated, activities were ongoing day and night. Also, he created the Jaycees Basketball Program for elementary age students. In 1980 the Doniphan Jaycees awarded him a "Testimonial of Appreciation" for all of his community service. On June 20, 1959, he was united in marriage with Darlene Seaton at the Presbyterian Church in Sylvania, Arkansas. She survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Karen D. (Byrd) Goodson and husband, Bill Goodson, Jr., of Lawrence, Kansas; one granddaughter, Shaina Goodson, of Lawrence, Kansas; and one brother, Jerry Byrd, of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m Monday, April 25, 2011, at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday April 26, 2011, at the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kent Wilfong officiating. Burial will follow at the Hunt-White Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Doniphan High School Baseball Program or the Doniphan United Methodist Church.