James Earl Byrd, Jr. was born August 17, 1950 to the late
James Edward and Willie Mae Byrd in Baltimore, Maryland.
James went to sleep in death on December 20, 2018. James was
affectionately known as 'James Earl".

James Earl grew up in Baltimore and was educated in the

Baltimore City Public School System. As a child he was fun loving and
mischievous. He enlisted as a Merchant Seaman in 1969 and then
enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1970, receiving an
honorable discharge in 1974. After he was discharged he moved to
New Jersey where he worked at Dupont Paint Company. James Earl
was married for a brief time and from this union came his daughter,
Kim Hardy Byrd.

He enrolled in Truck Driving School. He worked at Bestway
Transport, Inc. for thirty years until his retirement. James Earl loved
music all his life, however, after his retirement he developed a love and
passion for the music industry. He recorded and produced music with
his business partner, Gerald Robinson.

He loved spending time with family and friends, eating cake and he
loved watching horses. He spent a lot of time at the racetrack
watching the horses.

He leaves to cherish his memory, two sisters, Robinette Dawson
(Michael), Tina Speight (Dwight), one aunt, Doretha Byrd Burch, one
uncle, Flemon Byrd, two nephews, Timothy Shird and Donnell Byrd,
two nieces, Maria Conway and Dynajah Speight, one great nephew,
Michael Jiggetts, Jr. and his daughter, Kim Hardy Byrd. One sister,
Anna Byrd, precededJames in death and he also leaves a host of other
family members and friends.

James Earl was a loving brother, uncle, great uncle and friend. He was
mild mannered, loving, loyal, focused and kind.