Lewis Avery Byrd

Lewis Avery Byrd, 64, a native of Bradenton, Fla., died April 2, 2010, at his home in St. Augustine, Fla., of natural causes.

Avery lived in St. Augustine most of his life and is survived by daughters, Beverly Monk of St. Augustine and Janet Horne of Hastings; grandchildren, Ashley, Joseph, Daniel, and Chelsea; his brother, James Byrd of Polk City; and his three sisters, Marie (Earl) White of Elkton, Lois (Clifford) Rodriquez of Ocala, and Dorothy Conti of Orlando. Avery is also preceded in death by his mother, Iris Byrd, his father, Lewis Allen Byrd, and a sister, Geneva Reynolds.
Avery served in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic. He enlisted in 1963 and received an honorable discharge in 1969.

Avery worked as a route salesman for the St. Augustine Ice Company for several years and afterwards started his own business painting houses and doing porch enclosures, which he enjoyed very much.

In his most recent years, he had an airport transportation business where his customers quickly became his friends.

The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 8, 2010, with the funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2010, at Craig Funeral Home conducted by Pastor Tom Outley. Burial will follow at Craig Memorial Park.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.