Lester Morgan Byrd

Lester Morgan Byrd was born on August 2, 1938, to John and Jettie Byrd. The family made their home in Palestine, Arkansas where Les shared his memories of childhood with six siblings.  While living in Arkansas he attended Salem Methodist Church with his family.  He attended the public schools in the nearby community of Moro and later continued his education at Hendrix College in Conway.
On February 16, 1959, Les was commissioned with the United States Navy as an aviator and became a fighter pilot. He would return home to marry Wanda June Coker on December 30, 1960. Together they followed his military career and would call many places home including California and Japan.
In 1967 Les joined Delta Airlines as a pilot. He spent a year based in Chicago and in 1968 moved to Arlington after being stationed in Dallas/Fort Worth. Les remained with Delta Airlines until his retirement in 1996.
Les had many hobbies and interests. Through the years, with June by his side, he built custom homes in Arlington and later owned and operated an antique store called Byrd’s Happy Hollow in Canton, TX. Some of his most cherished memories came from the time he spent riding dirt bikes, water skiing and snow skiing with his sons, Jeff and Scott.
Les was active in his community as a Mason and served as Key Man at the Ft. Worth hangar as a member of the Quiet Birdmen.
On July 11, 2024, at the age of 85, Les passed away in Arlington, TX. He was preceded in his journey by his parents, John Kyle and Jettie Jones Byrd, wife, Wanda June Byrd, son, Scott Lee Byrd, two brothers, Bill and John Dale, and three sisters, Lou Byrd, Joanna Byrd McLeod, and Bonnie Byrd.
Les is lovingly remembered by his son Jeffrey Byrd and his wife Ellen of Burlingame, California, and his brother Farel Byrd of Collierville, Tennessee. He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Rachel Nannette Byrd, Natalie Ruth Byrd and Aaron Jacob Byrd, and very special friends John and Chris Conn. Les will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 5th, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Palestine at the Salem Cemetery Pavilion. Arrangements by Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home.