Born in Dallas, Texas at Parkland Memorial Hospital to the lovely parents of Joe Payton and Dorothy E. Byrd-McGary, Chris spent his youthful years in the beautiful city of Texarkana, Texas where he grew up in the home with his brothers David Byrd Sr. and Steven McGary.  They all attended Liberty Eylau Kindergarten, Liberty Eylau Primary, Liberty Eylau Intermediate, and Liberty Eylau Junior High, as one can acknowledge they all were faithful, dedicated, long life Liberty Eylau Leopard's. Chris completed his high school education at the Liberty-Eylau High School as well. Some of his greatest accomplishments and rewards were Home Ec and in the kitchen with his first love grandmother Thelma Byrd. He loved Home Ec so much he took the class twice.  He spent wonderful mornings in the kitchen baking pies and mastering Grandmother Byrd's famous biscuits.  Another passion of his was the Leopard's football team. He spent many evenings practicing on the field, perfecting the tools and techniques so that he could guard his position as a center player. Not only was Chris a master in football but the big stature teen dominated the basketball court with his 3-point shots and straight up net hoops. He won many basketball hoop competitions throughout his youth era. When he was not crafting his skills in the kitchen, on the football field and basketball court, he was assisting his mentors grandfather Joseph Byrd and Pastor Green at the St. Paul Baptist Church where he labored as an usher, a youth tenor choir member and served as an armorbearer throughout his grandfather's and Pastor's travels.

Upon the completion of his adolescent era, he was faced with two big career decisions: follow his dream of playing football in college or serving his mighty country, the Great USA. He decided to get serious by taking on a more meaningful serious challenge, the powerful seas and oceans was his final decision. He enlisted into the United States Navy where his first tour was on the US Kitty Hawk CV-63. Some of his most memorable highlighted adventures included his first tour to Philadelphia, PA; the Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina; South America, St. Thomas, The Virgin Islands; Valparaiso, Chile; and San Diego, CA. After a long tiring day of hard work, you could guarantee to find Byrd hanging out with his shipmates under the biggest tree near the base in San Diego, CA. Byrd also served on the USS Fort McHenry LSD-43 for about 4 years in the Auxiliary Division where he was an Engine Men 3rd class Petty Officer. He was responsible for the ships air conditioning units and fuel systems. His second tour was called The West Pack and the locations were Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Malaysia, Australia and Dubai in the Persian Gulf. Like always after work just look for the biggest tree and you will find Chris and his shipmates congregating under a tree even during the hot flaming scorched desert playing their favorite games of dominos and spades. One of his greatest accomplishments was welcoming the life of fatherhood. There was nothing more rewarding in life than Byrd becoming a father and having a part of his DNA passed on and living forever through his offspring. Born on May 17, 1990, another handsome and charming male child was born Christopher Brent Byrd Jr. to carry on his father's great name and genes. Our CREATOR blessed Chris with both, becoming a first-time father as well as a stepfather, even serving his country and retiring from the US Navy with an *HONORABLE DISCHARGE*.

After Byrd's retirement from the Navy, he returned to his hometown Texarkana, Texas where he took on many jobs such as cement layer, heavy machinery worker, forklift and hauser driver.  While on his journey of reinventing himself he decided to move to Dallas, Texas where he met his wife Angela D. Hawkins-Byrd.  At first sight of meeting her he told her repeatedly "you gonna be my wife". They both ventured into Chris final childhood dream of becoming a professional truck driver.  Chris spent the remainder of his mature years serving at The Church of Nineveh under the direction of the late Pastor Angie Dickson and current Pastor Andre Reed.  He spent most of his time with his wife by his side feeding, teaching and mentoring the young and old throughout his travels on the unforgiving dangerous highways.  As an over the road truck driver, he was able to travel the west coast, east coast, central coast and south coast. By doing so, he was given the opportunity to venture into over 46 states.  Everywhere Byrd traveled his mission was never to meet a stranger but to collect brothers and sisters and to leave them laughing no matter what the situations were at hand. The "Byrdman" was famous for his spicy turkey necks and chicken gizzards, deep fried whole Cajun turkeys and his great stories about the adventures of the daily challenges on his beloved highways. Chris was a very loving and happy gentleman always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was playful and a big kid at heart. He loved wrestling with his kids and especially his grandkids. His favorite quote "YOU WANTED GO FOR THE TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP". He opened his doors to many kids, teens and young adults who needed clothes, food or a place to stay. Byrd was a role model, a father figure, a mentor and a no-nonsense standup guy to them all. He was called away so quickly and abruptly, many of our hearts are broken and most are still in disbelief.  WE ALL WILL CHERISH AND LOVE OUR GIANT ANGEL.