James Howard Byrd

~ Graveside services for James H. Byrd, 95, of Gladewater, Texas will be held Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. with Dick Dobbins officiating at Gladewater Memorial Park. There will be no formal visitation. James passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 12, 2015 in his home. Services are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. James was born to W.T. Byrd and Anna Lee Williams Byrd on June 20, 1919 in Wiggins, Mississippi. He was a graduate of White Oak High School and helped in naming the school"s mascot as the "Roughnecks." He served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Estes Park Colorado. He served in the Navy and was a veteran of WWII. His ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean during the war. James owned and operated Byrd"s Laundry in the Greggton area of Longview and opened one of the first coin operated Laundromats. He began work in Spring Hill ISD working to maintain athletic equipment and later moved to Pine Tree ISD where he worked till he retired. James Byrd had a great love of country, community, family and spent his leisure time in his garden or fishing. Mr. Byrd is survived by his son, James Byrd and his wife Cindy; grandson, Scott Byrd and his wife C.J.; granddaughter, Stacy Morrison and husband Mike; great grandchildren: Brayton Byrd, Bowen Byrd, Ella Morrison and Lainey Morrison and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Vera Byrd, first wife, Modeen Byrd who was the mother of his son, sister, Onita Ross and brother, Horace Byrd.