O. B. Byrd
(1921-2004)
Past Master, Past Worthy Patron
Cross Plains Lodge/Eastern Star

Brother O. B. Byrd was born to Elvie and Elsie (Edington) Byrd in Cross Cut, Texas on February 13, 1921.  He graduated from Cross Cut High School with the class of 1939. After graduation Brother Byrd answered the call to serve his country and entered the U.S. Army during WW II.  He received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Okinawa and continued to serve in Oahu, Hawaii.

Upon returning from the war, he enrolled in Flight School at Brownwood Airport under the G. I. Bill where he obtained his Flight Instructor Certification and taught flying for several years.  Aviation ranked high in O. B's. list of passions.  He would always seize the opportunity to attend an air show and could talk endlessly about airplanes and flight.   It was at the airport that he met his future wife Blanch Howe.  They were married on December 18, 1946 and made their home in Cross Cut.  Their marriage was blessed by the birth of their son O. B., Jr. "Sonny" (1950-1994) on October 13, 1950.

Brother O. B. and Blanch marked the fourth generation of Byrds to live and farm and ranch in the Cross Cut community.  They were members of the Methodist Church at Cross Cut and subsequently the First United Methodist Church in Cross Plains.  O. B.  served for many years on various boards of the church as well as treasurer of the Cross Cut Cemetery Association.  He has served as director of Brown County Farm Bureau since it was organized in 1953, and served as president seven different times.  He served as Director of Brown-Mills County Soil Conservation Service, that later became Pecan Bayou Soil and Water Conservation Association of which he became Chairman of The Board.

Brother Byrd was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason at Cross Plains Lodge No. 627 on September 12, 1963, passed to Fellowcraft on November 14th and raised to Master Mason on December 21st the same year.  All three degrees were conferred by Brother O. B.'s uncle, the M:.W:. Harvey P. Byrd, then Grand Secretary and later the Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Texas.  Brother O. B. was elected Master of the Lodge in 1968 and served as District Deputy Grand Master in 1974.  He was very active in Cross Plains Chapter No. 455, Order of the Eastern Star and was seven times Worthy Patron, 1969-95.  He was member of Suez Shrine in San Angelo, and played drums for the Oriental Band of the Heart of Texas Shrine Club of Brownwood. He also served as President of both the Heart of Texas Shrine Club and the Oriental Band.

Brother Byrd was called to labor in the Celestial Lodge above on Tuesday, May 11, 2004.  He is remembered as a noble friend and  patriot who fervently invoked the principles of Freemasonry to serve his country and community.