Richard Lemuel Byrd passed away in Dallas, Texas, on Dec. 15, 2025.
Rick was born on Oct. 2,1962 in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Ralph Byrd and the late Essie Powell Byrd.
Rick was a 1980 graduate of Richmond Senior High School and Broadcasting School in Tennessee. Rick worked in Greensboro as a TV station engineer, until he moved back to Richmond County, working the rest of his life at Mini-Maxi Self Storage in Hamlet.
Along with his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Byrd Talsania.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jennifer Richardson Byrd; his brother, Hewlett Byrd and sister Shirley Byrd; his stepchildren, Garrett Cole Hayes and Holli Hayes Cranford; new step-grandbabies, Hayes and Monroe Cranford; parents-in-law, Joe and Cathey Richardson; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Fred (Bo) and Caroline Ford and Jeremy and Lora Lea Martin; nieces, Julianna Young, Madilyn Martin, Olivia Ford and Annalisa Ford; and nephew, Brady Martin.
Rick was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Rockingham. He was also a longtime member of the Rockingham Kiwanis Club. As a local business owner, Rick tried to support his community whenever possible. He contributed both his time and money to his church, Richmond County Schools, Cole Auditorium, Richmond Community Theater, Operation Fix, Richmond County Animal Shelter, the American Legion, and various other worthy causes.
Funeral services for Rick will take place on Monday, Dec. 22 at First Presbyterian Church of Rockingham, 904 Fayetteville Road, Rockingham. Visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall from noon-1:45 p.m. The service will begin at 2 p.m. and a private graveside committal for family members will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 904 Fayetteville Road, Rockingham, NC 28379; or Richmond County Animal Shelter, 529 W. US 74 Highway, Rockingham, NC, 28379.
Online condolences can be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Byrd family.
