Jimmy Lee "Chief" Byrd's Obituary
Jimmy Lee “Chief” Byrd passed away peacefully in his San Diego home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jimmy was born in Atlanta, Georgia to John Byrd and Eliza Ann Jenkins. Also, preceding him in death was his beloved grandmother Rosa and sister Betty Jean “Boot” Brittain.Jimmy Lee had a love of sports and was a star basketball player in high school and in the navy. In his later years he enjoyed cheering on his Lakers & Rams,however, his favorite thing on a Saturday afternoon was sitting in his chair or on the patio listening to Vin Scully call a Dodgers game. Jimmy’s love of travel and the sea lead him to join the Navy as a young man. His travels spanned the globe over a 25-year Navy career retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. It was as a young sailor, he met his future wife, Adelaida. After retiring from the Navy, Jimmy enjoyed his time as a Navy contractor. He was an animal lover, and loved horses & horse racing including the Kentucky Derby & the races at Del Mar.Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 53 years, Adelaida Byrd, eldest daughter Patricia Jasper, her husband Todd, daughter Pamela Green, son-in-law Joseph and daughter Sandra. Jimmy is the much loved grandfather to Sandra’s daughters, Alexa and DeRondra,along with Pamela’s children, Dakota & Destiny. Great grandsons Jayden, Kamren and Jorden, brother Frank Byrd & sister-in- law Lollie, their children Antoinette and Diron. Surviving family members include a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many extended family & friends.He is loved and deeply missed by all who knew him. Jimmy loved and served his country with honor, and placed his wife and family before everything. Viewing on March 2nd 5-9pm & Funeral Service on March 3rd at 11am with reception to follow 12-3pm Greenwood Mortuary Garden Chapel, San Diego, CA with burial at Miramar National Cemetery.The family would like to thank his neurologist, Dr. Sherwin Cho & the staff at Naval Medical Center San Diego who cared for him. Special thank you to Mission Hospice for Dad’s end of life care. Special thank you to his nurse Tomas, Rosa, Darci and Kristin, who have a special place in our family. Flowers are welcome & appreciated, but memorials in Jimmy’s name can be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) http://www.pdf.org/
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