John Minor Byrd

John Minor Byrd, 88, of Rockport, W.Va., passed away April 26, 2014, at The Willows Center in Parkersburg.He was born Oct. 22, 1925, in Wood County, W.Va., a son of the late Thomas Robert and Martha Bartlett Byrd.John was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 5575 of Mineral Wells, W.Va. He retired after 42 years with the CSX Railroad. John attended Friendship Ridge Christian Fellowship Church in Belpre, Ohio and was a former member of Rockport United Methodist Church. John was a local artist.He is survived by his son, Professor Jeffrey Byrd (Deborah) of Rockport, W.Va.; one sister, Ruth Fleming (Earnest) of Lubeck, W.Va.; a brother, Ray Byrd (Betty) of Melon, W.Va.; two grandchildren, Debbie Stille (Dale) and Sarah Hughes (Jarrod); and three great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Jacob and Layla Hughes.In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his wife, Alma R. McPherson Byrd; two sisters; and four brothers.Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 2333 Pike Street, Parkersburg, W.Va. with Pastor Randy Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Parkersburg Memorial Gardens, with full military honors by American Legion Post 15 of Parkersburg. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.