Bobby Lewis Byrd 1941-2013

Bobby Lewis Byrd 1941-2013. Bobby Lewis Byrd, 72, of Abilene, and formerly of Stamford, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 1, 2013. Bobby Byrd was born in Stamford on March 24, 1941, to W. L. and Jessie Byrd. He graduated from Avoca High School where he was a member of the varsity basketball team. He attended Texas Tech and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Economics. He had a long career as a commodities trader and continued the family tradition of operating a cotton and wheat farm in Stamford. He married Susan Leslie Byrd of Abilene, June 26, 1981. Susan would be his best friend and business partner for 36 years, teaming up to start their commodity brokerage firm and sharing equally in work on the farm. They had two children, Aaron Stephen and Sarah Ashley Byrd, the lights of Bobby and Susan's life. Bobby led his family in daily scripture readings and prayer times and coached his children in everything from tennis to sprinting techniques, to basketball, to throwing and catching footballs. He hired other experts however to teach his children ballet and piano. He was known to always have a smile on his face when talking to others. Friends and family describe him as a "good cotton farmer and a good man", "a legend', and "a west Texas prophet".
The Byrd family has been deeply humbled by the support and friendship they have been shown throughout this difficult time. While Bobby meant a lot of things to a lot of people, you all, and this community, meant the world to him. Thank you for your prayers. We love you all.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Stamford with Aaron Byrd and Rev. Jacob West officiating. Burial will follow at the Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home of Stamford.