Arthur Byrd, Sr.

Arthur Stanton "Stan" Byrd, Sr., 87, of The Village at Brookwood, died at the Hospice Home on January 2, 2009. Mr. Byrd was born on December 15, 1921 in Harnett County, NC. He was the husband of Christine Parker Byrd, who survives, and was the son of Cosby Roscoe Byrd, Sr. and Naomi Jones Byrd, both deceased. Upon graduation from Boone Trail High School in Harnett County in 1940, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he fought for his county during WWII and served until 1946. While in the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi and the U.S.S. Columbia. In 1947, he joined Motor Parts Corporation, now known as NAPA. In conjunction with his brothers, Mr. Byrd founded Byrd Auto Parts in 1954 and remained president until 1991. When not working at Byrd Auto Parts, he could be found with his family at one of his farms or at Oak Island, NC. He was a member of Glen Hope Baptist Church and the NC Automotive Wholesalers Association. He served on the Board of Directors of Ralph Scott Lifeservices, Inc. for 18 years and was president for three terms. Mr. Byrd is survived by his wife of the home; a daughter, Paula Byrd Reardon and her husband, John Joseph Reardon of Burlington; a son, Arthur "Art" Stanton Byrd, Jr. of Graham; three granddaughters, Brittney Reardon Coleman and her husband, Jonathan Edward Coleman of Charlotte, NC, Katherine Ryan Reardon of Washington, D.C. and Margaret "Maggie" Christina Reardon of Burlington; siblings, C.G. Byrd, Sr. and H. Watson Byrd, both of Burlington, Doris Byrd Wood of Lillington, NC, Marie Byrd Clark of West Chester, PA and Linda Byrd Williams of Dunn, NC; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Rev. Ralph O. Byrd, R.K. Byrd, Sr., C.R. Byrd, Jr. and Lewis Talmadge Byrd. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, January 5, 2009 at Glen Hope Baptist Church by the Rev. Ronnie Byrd and Rev. Larry Redding. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9-10:45 Monday morning at the church prior to the service and other times at the residence of the daughter, Paula Byrd Reardon, 421 Greenfern Court, Burlington, NC. Mr. Byrd will remain at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory until taken to the church Monday morning. The family would like to thank the staff of Windsor at The Village at Brookwood for their loving care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ralph Scott Lifeservices, Inc., 408 West Trade St., Burlington, NC 27217. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com