BYRD

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ronnie Earl Byrd, longtime coach and educator, passed on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at the age of 77. He was born in Biloxi and was a Louisiana resident for 65 years.

He was was preceded in death by his parents, Artis and Earl Byrd, stepmother, Enola Laiche Byrd, and brother, Glen E. Byrd.

He is survived by his sister, Enola Byrd Busha (Donald). He was married to Virginia Byrd for 55 years and was a loving father to Cindy B. Logue (Frank), Timmy Byrd (Tracy) and Kathy B. Wallace and grandfather to Timothy and Jonathan Byrd, Kayla Logue Moreau (Michael) and Deuce and Chase Wallace. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and attended Pearl River Junior College and the University of Miami on basketball scholarships. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. He worked in the finance industry in New Orleans before pursuing his true passion in life, which was educating and coaching young men and women. He served as recreation supervisor for Jefferson Parish, taught and coached at River Forest Academy in Covington, Ridgewood Prep in Metairie and East St. John High School in Reserve. He spent the past 16 years as an assistant basketball coach with his son at Reserve Christian High School and Riverside Academy in Reserve, and their teams made 12 Top 28 appearances and won nine state championships. He will be missed by all who were touched by his love, compassion, kindness and wisdom.

Visitation and services were held at New Wine Fellowship Church in LaPlace on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronnie Byrd Memorial Fund at Riverside Academy.