Long time resident of Quesnel, James Edward Byrd (Jim), of Victoria, B.C. passed away September 28, 2004 in Victoria at the age of 81. A memorial tea was held October 9, 2004 at the Elks Hall in Quesnel, B.C.
Jim was born November 21, 1922 in Connor Creek, Alberta and was the fifth child of eight children born to John and Sara Byrd. The family moved to Clearwater, B.C. when Jim was just a child. This is where Jim was raised. He enlisted and served in the army until 1944. Shortly after Jim moved to the Alexandria area where he worked in the logging and sawmill industry with his brother Woodrow. It was at this time he met his future wife Elsie Edmonds. There were married in 1952. The couple had four sons and one daughter. Jim went into the logging truck business in Quesnel in the fifties and early sixties and later drove truck for Weber Trucking. Jim started driving for Arrow in 1971 until he retired in 1982.
After retirement Jim spent many winters in Arizona. This is where he met a dear friend and travel partner, Julie. They spent many years traveling together. Due to Jim’s health he moved to Victoria in 1990. Jim was a fun loving person and had a love for western music. In his younger years he would occasionally call square dancing at country dances. He enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with family and friends.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his children Wayne (Quesnel), Wendy (Mackenzie, B.C.), Casey (Courtenay, B.C.), Bradley (Quesnel, B.C.), Lonnie (Lac La Biche, Alta.) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by long time friend and travel partner Julie Spellman of Vancouver, Washington, USA, brother Les Byrd, sister Ada McKenzie. Jim was predeceased by his sisters Ida White, Marion Kneller, Lethe Miller, Evelyn Ewel, brother Woodrow as well as his parents John and Sara.