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“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Jon L. Byrd Jr., of Elizabethton, finished his race on October 25, 2023. Jon was born in Savannah, Ga., on March 30, 1965. He was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and Carson-Newman College.
Jon was a faithful and loving husband to Tina Miller Byrd for over 35 years. They have one son, Mason Byrd.
Jon is survived by his mother, Nancy Byrd, Elizabethton; father-in-law, Loren Miller, Morristown; sister, Jan (Gerald) Jenkins; three nephews, Andrew Broome II (Tyler), Wesley Thompson and Bradley (Elizabeth) Thompson; a great-nephew, Jasper Bautsch; and two nieces, Andi Broome (Jacob Bautsch) and Lesley (Jamison) Price.
Jon was preceded in death by his father, Jon L. Byrd, and his mother-in-law, Anna Miller.
A devoted member of Lynn Valley Baptist Church, Jon served faithfully as a deacon, Chairman of Deacons and sound board operator for the Music and Media Ministry. He was a board member and treasurer for over 15 years with the TLC Community Center of Elizabethton, Tenn. He displayed his generous, kind and fun-loving spirit every year as he portrayed “Santa Claus” for the annual client Christmas party. He also enjoyed playing tennis, riding motorcycles, welding, camping, and Dallas Cowboys football.
In business he was a managing member of A+ Storage and for the last three years employed by the Elizabethton City School System. Jon had also been the owner and operator of JB’s Burgers and Ice Cream; owner/franchisee of the KFC in Newport, Tenn., and owner/ franchisee of the KFC in Dandridge, Tenn. He began working in the family-owned Pizza Inn at the age of 15 as a cook, later becoming a manager. Many knew him by working alongside him or working for him in the food industry. After he left the food industry, he wanted to become a school bus driver to spend more time with his son. He truly loved driving a school bus trying daily to be a positive influence on kids. His friendly personality showed through at every turn, especially when he drove Bus #1 for the Elizabethton Marching Band. Jon was famous for telling his “corny” dad jokes to all who rode his bus which endeared him to all. He lived life with a half-full glass mentality, always smiling and friendly. Jon faithfully served the Lord, always willing to lend a hand when needed.
Jon finished well! His desire was that Christ would be given the glory through his brief illness. His desire was that someone would come to know the same Savior he had served so faithfully for many years.
The family will celebrate Jon’s life and homegoing on Tuesday, November 7, receiving friends from 5 until 7 p.m. at Lynn Valley Baptist Church, Elizabethton, Tenn. The celebration of life will be held immediately following with Rev. Tim Tapp officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the TLC Community Center of Elizabethton, C/O Angie Odom, 145 Judge Don Lewis Blvd. #5, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 542-2232, is honored to assist and serve the family of Jon Loyd Byrd Jr.