James Douglas Byrd Jr.

It is with broken hearts that we announce James Douglas Byrd, Jr., 81, of White Rock, SC, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 10, 2026. Mr. Byrd was born on February 5, 1945, in the family home built for his parent by his maternal grandfather in Jefferson, SC. He was the middle child of the late J.D. and Dorothy Lucas Byrd.

Junior, as he was affectionately known to family and friends, attended Brookland-Cayce High School before joining National Cash Register (NCR) in August of 1966 where he rose through the ranks to a supervisor position prior to his retirement after 40 years of loyal service acquiring many life-long friends along the way. During his youth he was a member of First Baptist Church of Cayce until joining White Rock Baptist Church.

Junior enjoyed being outdoors and working with his hands and he could repair anything. When his children were growing up, he took them camping to the beach, the mountains and everywhere in between with his camper in tow. He was an excellent woodworker, crafting many items including furniture for family members and friends. He cultivated a lavish vegetable garden annually, always sharing with those he loved. He enjoyed meeting often with friends and family to share a meal and shared the peppers from his garden with his children at dinner each Sunday night leaving the balance of them for the restaurant staff who made spicey hot salsa for the employees from them. Another of his passions was his love of cars. Whether working on cars, buying and selling them or working on his vast dye cast collection with his son, he loved classic vehicles.

Junior loved animals and had a horse, a goat and many dogs over his lifetime. He cared for them better than for himself and put their welfare first always.

Survivors include his daughter, Melissa L. Byrd of West Columbia; son, Kevin B. Byrd of Chapin; and son Robert A. Holmes (Ivy) of Chapin; sisters, Patsy Byrd Davis (Scott) of Cayce and Kathy Byrd Smith of Lexington; as well as his devoted dog, Josie.

The funeral service will be held at 2 o’clock, Monday, July 20th at the mausoleum chapel of Southland Memorial Gardens, 700 W Dunbar Rd, West Columbia, SC 29170. Burial will immediately follow in the cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service in the mausoleum chapel beginning at 1o’clock.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.