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Lucid (Lu) Byrd, age 98, of Leisure World, Mesa Arizona passed away unexpectedly on July 27, 2026.
Born in 1928, he was raised in Barberville FL. His earliest years were during the great depression. He did not graduate from high school, because he joined the Marines after his junior year at the age of 17. After boot camp, he responded to an urgent need for navigators on transport planes flying supplies from Hawaii to China. After serving in the Marines (1945 to1948), he graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Engineering.
He was married to Jane Byrd from 1950 to 1971. He was also married to Norma Byrd in the 1980s.
He had a career in electrical engineering starting at General Electric. Then, he was an Engineering Manager at ITT and Carling Electronics. He invented and patented six products. After retiring, he was an active volunteer at Banner Baywood Hospital, completing more than 2,600 hours of work.
Lu had a passion for making friends and loved being the center of attention. When he moved to Mesa AZ he formed a family-like circle of friends who he met in Leisure World and at veteran’s events and dances.
He loved to help people by making them laugh, advising them on any topic including their health or finances, and being a verbal sparring partner. He loved to sing and play his guitar, dance, garden, and tell stories. He had a very positive and joyful outlook on life.
His exuberant hugs and cheerful smile will be sadly missed by his family, his family-like circle of friends, and by all who attended dances and veteran’s events with him.
Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 36 in Coolidge AZ. Checks or money orders may be mailed to: Disabled American Vets (DAV) 36, PO Box 1315, Coolidge AZ 85128. Or use Zelle to send donations
directly to the Commander of the DAV Chapter, Ronnie Smith at 602-904-0645. Please put “Memorial for Lu Byrd” in the subject line.
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community