Obituary of Mark Allen Byrd

Graveside services for Mark Allen Byrd, 58, of Lovington, NM will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Dawson County Cemetery in Lamesa, Texas at 10:00 am Texas time. Officiating will be Matt Bridges of First United Methodist Church of Lovington. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. Mark was born on September 5, 1962 in Lamesa, TX to Donald Murrill and Bonnie Ellen (Shively) Byrd and passed away in Lovington on December 7, 2020. Mark and Michelle met in high school and started dating in 1981 and on June 1, 1984 they were married and have shared life and love for thirty six years as a married couple. They moved to Lovington in 1993 and Mark was employed with Plains Pipeline Service. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially anywhere with trees and going exploring and was also a history buff. He was a collector of guns, coins, books and anything military related. Reading was one of his great joys and he never would get rid of any of his books. He loved telling stories and jokes and had an uplifting sense of humor. He was all about his family and loved taking annual fishing trips with his boys and spending time with them at the gun shows. He had really funny nicknames for his kids and grandkids and he would drop everything to be with family whether it was to pick up kids or grandkids in Lubbock or a baseball game. Mark told you what you needed to hear not what you wanted to hear and always gave the best advice. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. His greatest passion was his wife and children and family! Preceding him in death were his parents, Donald and Bonnie. Surviving him is his wife, Michelle of the home; two sons: Matt and wife Alyssa Byrd and Mason and wife Cherie Byrd both of Lovington and one daughter Micki and husband Jerid Pridmore of Lubbock, TX; one sister: Donna Lyn and husband James Caldwell of Lubbock, TX and seven precious grandchildren: Payton, Kynlee, Bryson, Bryleigh, Taylen, Landon and Lyle and a host of friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 from 2:00-7:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Lovington with the family in residence from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the church. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.