Neal Burnard Byrge

1922 - 2011

Neal Burnard Byrge obituary, 1922-2011, Tampa, FL

BORN

1922

DIED

2011

FUNERAL HOME

Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home

4040 Henderson Blvd

Tampa, Florida

Neal Byrge Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 14, 2011.

BYRGE, NEAL BURNARD, Senior Master Sergeant United States Air Force Retired, departed for the "Wild Blue Yonder" 14 Mar 2011. Coal miner, Soldier, Airman, and author of the published Byrge family genealogy, Neal was born 14 Aug 1922 in Kettle Island, Bell County, Kentucky to the late Jasper Porter Byrge (1899-1935), a native of Scott County, Tennessee, and Dona Elsie Ferguson (1899-1952), a native of Claiborne County, Tennessee. Preceded in death by Mona Geraldine Walters Byrge, wife of 63 years; sisters Mary Helen (1928-1936), Lois Hope (m. Foster Minton) (1920-2005), Francis Imogene (m. Walter Graham and Hatler Cook) (1924-2003); sons Infant (b/d 1952), Thomas Porter (1945-2003), David O'Neal (1947-2005); grandsons Kyle Burnard (b/d 1972) and Timothy Gordon Fischer (1969-2003); and great-grandson Kember McCray Peele (b/d 2010). Survived by daughters Mona Marlene (m. Phillip Angelo); Lucy L'Dona Byrge (m. Jerry Tackett); ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sister Mildred Juanita Farmer (m.Lee Roy Farmer); and brother-inlaw Hatler Cook .

On 17 Jan 1944, Neal married Mona Geraldine ("Jerry") Walters of Middlesboro, Bell County, Kentucky, daughter of William Thomas Walters (1874-1940) and Lucy Andrew (1884-1979), both natives of Whitley County, Kentucky. Jerry was born 24 May 1924 in Spencer, McLean County, South Dakota and died 26 July 2007, in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida.

At age 15, Neal skipped school to become a coal miner but, with all due respect to coal miners, later decided it just wasn't for him. On 20 Sep 1940, at age 18, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. A veteran of the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II, Sergeant Byrge served with the 63d Army Airways Communications Service, part of the 14th Air Force "Flying Tigers." Subsequent tours included 18 months in Alaska (1948-1949), and service during the Korean Conflict with the "Mosquitoes" of the 6147th Tactical Control Group, part of the 5th Air Force. Neal also served three years on the Island of Bermuda (1963-1966), often joking that it "was one tough tour, but someone had to take it." Senior Master Sergeant Byrge retired from the United States Air Force on 1 Aug 1968, and continued working with the Hillsborough County Automobile Inspection Department and Board of Public Instruction until 1 Jan 1983.

Known as "Pop" to some and "Gramps" to most, Neal never met a stranger. Everyone was an opportunity for conversation, and it usually involved genealogy or Florida State University football – he was their biggest fan. A Kentucky hillbilly with a big heart, Neal wanted more than anything to simply be remembered. He got his wish - in so many ways, Neal will forever be a part of us. He forever will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends at 9:00 am Thursday, 17 Mar, at Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, 4040 Henderson Blvd in Tampa, Florida. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 am in the funeral home chapel with Pastor John Meisenbach officiating. Graveside services and burial will be held at approximately 12:30 pm at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Air Force Aid Society at (800) 769-8951 or www.afas.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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March 22, 2011

Posted by

March 20, 2011

Pam Overton

Neal, thank you so much for your hard work on the Byrge genealogy. You did it long before it was fashionable or easy! I can't imagine the countless hours spent scrutinizing dusty books in remote places. RIP. My condolences to your family.

March 20, 2011

Peggy Byrge

A wonderful and loving man now forever in the arms of God. Neal gave so much of himself to this family and he will be sorely missed.Because of him, we know so much about our family. May God grant his daughters and their families peace at this time in their loss. He is at rest with Jerry and the boys. I am so glad that I was honored to know him and I will surely miss him.

March 19, 2011

Odis R. Phillis

Dear Lucy and Mona, while your father and I traveled many of the same roads during our Air Force Careers and shared many friends we never met until we both had left the Military. There were many times when we were staying at the same motel in Caryville but we never met. It was through Bonnie Phillips that we became friends. I had the pleasure of meeting him and showing him and the two of you around this section of East Tennessee. I also had the pleasure of spending time with him on his Farewell visit to this area when he hosted a dinner for friends and relatives in celebration of his 88th birthday and the birthday of his older sister. Everyone had a wonderful time and Neal seemed to really enjoy himself. He has joined those many ancestors, whose history the he spent so much time seeking. All those mysteries that eluded him during his journey here on earth have become clear to him now. He was a good friend and his presence will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May God Bless and comfort you and all his family.

Odis R. Phillips.
Jacksboro, TN

Posted by Odis R. Phillis

March 17, 2011

Denise Reed Chapman

I love you Cousin Neal and I loved having you visit us last year. I also want to thank you for all the hard work you did to preserve the history of the Byrge Family. You helped instill in us the value of family and the true joy in locating and getting to know your relatives.

Today, we are saddened to hear of your passing but delight in the fact that we will one day see you and those relatives, who have gone on before us, again.

May God bless your family and comfort them during this time and in the days to come.
Your KY Cousin,
~ Denise Reed Chapman ~
Daughter of Hurstle Reed
Granddaughter of Sarah Ellen (Byrge) Reed

"We will continue the work"

March 16, 2011

Beulah (Byrge-)_Rowe

Your Cousin Beulah-- Neal we all loved you very much---(I just talked to you a few days ago)-- we made plans to try and see one another..we are going to miss you here--(but now you are in a much better home)-- I will see you there one day--(How about that)-- Love you..Your Cousin

March 16, 2011

New Beginnings Christian Church

Only eternity will be able to properly honor Neal for the the number of people that he positively affected. His compassion for others was overwhelming, as he helped so many anonymously. We will miss his hugs, warm handshakes and gracious smile. What a wonderful legacy Neal has left behind for his family and friends!

March 15, 2011

Karen Farmer

We're sorry to hear this sad news about Uncle Neal. He will surely be missed. It's been awhile but we always enjoyed the phone calls & emails. No one could research relatives like Uncle Neal.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Love,
Mickey Farmer, Karen Farmer & C.J. Hudson

March 15, 2011

Shirley Bragg

Neal will be greatly missed. Neal we loved you, I always looked forward to our telephone genealogy. You was a friend, cousin, and mentor. Bye for now, I promise you I will see you and Jerry later.

March 15, 2011

Lori

March 15, 2011

Barbara Kesterson

Cousin Neal you will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
From: Cousin James Kesterson and wife, Barbara.

March 15, 2011

Michael & Suzette Minton

Our sympathies to the Byrge family. Michael and I have many wonderful memories of Uncle Neal and Jerry and their family. Our prayers are with you.

March 15, 2011

Maria Edwards

Cousin Neal,
What a joy it was when we discovered our common family thread! You have been an inspiration to so many genealogists through the years. You led by example - offering to post the obituary notices whether or not you were related. You were the essence of giving and sharing. I am so glad I had the opportunity to get to know you - if even for a little while.
My prayers go out to your family and loved ones. Your presence here will be sorely missed. Your passion for family and life will continue to live on in all those who knew you. May you find comfort in knowing Neal is at peace now, resting in His Saviour's loving arms.

March 15, 2011

Posted by

March 15, 2011

Lori Peters

Uncle Neal was so sweet and there was just no one like him! I love him and will miss him greatly! My heart is breaking for you girls, but know that God will bring you comfort in the days to come. He did me when I lost my Dad and being a Daddy's girl makes it a little tougher. I love you all and will be praying for our family. Lori

Posted by Lori Peters

March 15, 2011

Milly Piros

Dear Family of Neal, May God hold your hands and walk you through this. Neal will surely be missed by many. He was so loved. He helped me imensely with my ancestors, also shared by him..Good Bye my dear Friend and "Shirt tail cousin"

March 15, 2011

Posted by

March 15, 2011

Mary Lynn Byrge-Pelino

Cousin Neal,
I was so sorry to hear of your passing. You are the family genealogist and taught us our roots. You will be sorely missed all & your work does not go un-noticed.
My sympathy goes out to your daughters and grandchildren...especially Polly who you talked about so fondly.

March 14, 2011

Brenda Brandenburg

Uncle Neal,you were LOVED by so many people.You will be missed by all,but our memories of you will be never be forgotten.I can speak for all Nieces & Nephews....YOU WERE THE BEST !!

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home

4040 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629

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