Captain John Henry Byrd Jr. (ret.)
February 6, 1930 ~ December 6, 2022
Born in:
New London, CT
Resided in:
San Antonio, TX
John Henry Byrd Jr., 92, has joined the love of his life, Patricia, in Heaven December 6, 2022.
He was born in New London, Connecticut on February 6, 1930 to John Henry Byrd Sr. and Elizabeth Farrington Clarke. John attended schools in San Diego, CA., Port Angeles, WA., New London, CT., Washington. D.C. and graduated from Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. After graduation, John joined the U.S. Coast Guard as an Appointed Midshipman while he attended Tulane University in New Orleans. He went on to graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on July 6, 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Holding various positions throughout his career with the U.S. Coastguard, on September 1956 he was transferred to the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for postgraduate training in law at The George Washington University where he graduated with the degree of Juris Doctor in June 1959.
John was then admitted to District of Columbia Bar in October 1959.
He went on to meet and later marry Ms. Patricia Albaugh Randall on December 27, 1958 in Chevy Chase, MD. On February 1, 1963 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and served as the District Legal Officer from July 1964 to June 1968. John was reassigned, July 1976, as West Coast Military Judge, USCG, based at Seattle, WA. with jurisdiction over General & Special Courts-Martial throughout the Coast Guard, from July 1976 through August 1978.
John Completed National College of the State Judiciary course in July 1976 and later retired from active duty from the U.S. Coast Guard September 1st, 1978. He was admitted to Washington State Bar after examination on October 1979 and then appointed Special Master for U.S. District Court, Western District, Washington, October 1981.
John was later employed as General Counsel for Marine Power & Equipment Co. (and 20 other related companies) from December 1981 to August 1984 and performed legal consultant services for the same industries until July 1985.
John pursued his interests after his long career and had the opportunity to play the
bagpipes with the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band from about 1976 to about 1986. In 1987, he went on to make custom crafting bamboo fly-rods, including building devices for making them, (selling some), tying flies, and fishing. John, along with his wife Patricia travelled various places including to New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Japan, France, and countless cities in the U.S. and Canada.
John lived a long and interesting life filled with many adventures along the way. He will be missed dearly by his adoptive family; his “daughter” Tatiana Daniliuc, Andreas Cimpan, Robert Cimpan, Camelia Cimpan, Ezequiel Camarena, Cristian and Christine Avram and their two children, Abigail and Leonidas.
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Captain Byrd was my captain and lead the crew of the CGCutter Storis during my tenure in the late 60’s. He was a great man and leader. He kept the ship and crew safe throughout our many SAR missions and patrols serving the State of Alaska. God Bless Captain Byrd and his family during these trying times. Semper Paratus Captain and we’ve got the watch, rest in peace.
One of his favorite deployments was CO of the USCG Cutter Storis in Kodiak, Alaska.
He loved his fly fishing and made fishing flies, so beautiful they could be framed.
As a fourth generation USCG, my son Retired USCG Captain David William Murk, was always inspired by his Uncle Jack and the others that came before him.
Jack, my dear cousin. I will miss you.
Jack, the late Cpt. Bob Moss, also USCG, and I took bagpipe lessons together starting in 1975 or so. Jack and Bob lived across the street from each other in Edmonds, WA, and we would meet at either home one a week to take for lessons, a pint and comaraderie. In 1980, the three of us and 3 more members of the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band took a memorable trip together to Scotland at the invitation of the Earl of Kintore, the Chief of the Clan Keith. The memories are countless, and our time together was priceless. Both Jack and Bob were good friends and will be sorely missed.