Russell Clinton Byard

Russell was born on May 25, 1942, to George and Bessie (Case) Byard in Claude, TX. and graduated from Claude High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from McMurray University and his Master’s in Theology from SMU Perkins School of Theology. On February 15, 1963, he married Patricia Ann Branum in Panhandle, TX. He served as a Methodist pastor in the North and Northwest Texas Conferences. Russell acquired numerous crosses over the years, many that he had made and many that were gifts. He had a new cross necklace to wear every Sunday. He was a member of the Wolfforth United Methodist Church, the Second Milers Group, the Llano Estacado Emmaus Community, the Lion's Club, and the Minor Chords Barbershop Quartet. He loved to sing and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and playing dominos was a favorite pastime. Russell spent many hours working on his family genealogy. He enjoyed woodworking and making treasures for his family. He is known for his pearl snap shirts, bolo ties, and Methodist jokes!He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Royse and Ray Byard.Russell is survived by his loving wife of fifty two years, Pat Byard, two daughters, Rhonda (Gene) Smith of Spearman, and Katherine (Kenton) Aiken of Battleground, WA; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Jace) Cline, Brandon Vincent, Koree Smith, Jake Boggs, and Savannah Aiken, a brother, Ronald (Zonell) Byard of Princeton, TX.; and a sister, Janie (Lawrence) Jaramillo of Washburn, TX. Memorials are suggested to the Pilgrim Scholarship Fund, c/o Llano Estacado Emmaus Community, P.O. Box 744, Slaton, TX, 79364-0744 or the Wolfforth UMC Memorial Fund, 102 Donald Preston Dr., Wolfforth, TX, 79382.