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BYRUM -- Gerald Duane Byrum, 63, a resident of Albuquerque since 1970, passed away Monday, February 02, 2004. Gerald is survived by his wife of 44 years, Deckie; daughter Valerie McAndries and husband Doug of Canon City, CO; granddaughter Teresa Doubleday of Las Animas, CO; son Victor Byrum and grandson Cody Byrum of Oklahoma City, OK; brothers, James and wife Donna of Sherman, TX; Gary and wife Rosa of Sherman, TX; sisters, Clovis Genovese and husband Vince, of Fort Worth, TX; Camilla Salazar and husband Richard of Alamogordo, NM; Charlotte Byrum Melton, of Sherman, TX; and sister in law, Ellen Byrum of Austin, TX, and their families. Gerald "Jerry" Byrum will also be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife's large, extended family. Gerald was preceded in death by his first-born daughter Teresa; his mother, Thelma Byrum; his father, William Byrum; and his brother, Winston Byrum. Gerald was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved God, family and his country. Jerry was always upbeat and joking with people. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco Giants, and county music greats, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride and Buck Owens, seeing all perform in person. A lifelong passion of Jerry's was bowling. He was a longtime member of the Lock and Roll bowling league. Jerry was also a lifetime member of PVA. Gerald served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958-1970. A Purple Heart recipient, he flew with the 963rd squadron during the Cuban missile crisis, escorted President Kennedy during an overseas flight, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. In 1969, during his last tour of duty in Vietnam, he was injured, leaving him 100% permanently disabled, spending the last 33 years of his life in a wheelchair. However, he never regretted his service to his country, and continued to love flying throughout his life. Gerald loved life; he was inspiration to all who met him. Gerald always said that as a result of his injury, it enabled him to develop a very real and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. A viewing will take place Thursday, February 5, 2004 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chapel of Sunrise, 7601 Wyoming Blvd. N.E. Funeral Service will be Friday, February 6, at 11:00 A.M., at Chapel of Sunrise. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico with Rev. Ronald Cok officiating. Sunrise Funeral Options 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Thu February 05, 2004