Carter ‘Leo’ Byrd, 73, a longtime Skagit County resident, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the Burton Care Center in Burlington.
Leo was born on February 16, 1933 in Hamilton, WA, the son of Benjamin Carter & Beulah ‘Boots’ Cabe Byrd.
As an infant the family lived in Sedro-Woolley until returning to Hamilton where Leo was raised and he attended grade school, later moving to Concrete where he graduated from Concrete High School. He then attended Multnomah Bible School in Oregon until being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. While at Bible School he met Beverly Powell and they were united in marriage in 1955 after Leo’s discharge from the Army, and they made their home in King County and Leo worked for Boeing. In 1962 they moved to Skagit County, briefly living in Mount Vernon until settling in Burlington where they lived for several years and Leo worked for Intalco in Ferndale. After a few years the drive got to be to much and he finally moved to Ferndale, living there until his retirement in 1992, after which he then returned to Skagit County. He was a member of the International Assoc. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union. He was also an avid gun collector; enjoyed fishing and electronic gadgets and was a CB/Ham operator. He also was a generous and giving man who would do what ever he could to help out someone in need.
Leo is survived by his wife, Beverly Byrd and his son, Ron Byrd, both of Sedro-Woolley. 3 grandchildren, Shane Walden of Mount Vernon and Jennifer & Travis Walden, both of Burlington, and 1 great-granddaughter, Ashley Emmil.
His brother, Ed Byrd of Pasco, WA; his son-in-law, Bradley Walden of Alger and 2 nieces, Brenda & Bonnie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister, Lena Byrd and his daughter, Lynnea Walden.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with military honors provided by the George Baldridge Post 43 American Legion. Private inurnment will be at the Hamilton Cemetery.
Services and cremation are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I’m so sad that I lost touch with this cousin of my dad’s – Walter Tate Garland. He was so comforting when my dad died in 1987. I hope relatives might see this and contact me. Rest in peace, Leo. Much love, Debi