Matthew Lamar Byrd

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Matthew Lamar Byrd, 54, will be Thursday, December 18, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at LifeChurch, 5821 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Pastor Brian Bruss and Rev. David Haynes co-officiating. Matt was born September 9, 1960 at Ft. Hood Military Hospital in Killeen, Texas to Chester Lamar Byrd and Sandra Puryear Byrd. He unexpectedly went to be with The Lord Saturday December 13th, 2014. Matt grew up in the Tulsa area, graduating from Beggs High School in 1979 and from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He married Karen Lynn Tate of Oklahoma City April 5, 1986 and together they raised two amazing kids. Matt was Executive Vice President of American Family Legacy Group by profession, but he was known as Sweetie, Dad, Son, B-Pa, Brother-In-Christ and Friend to those who knew him. He loved playing golf, working with his hands, managing his family's rental properties and watching his son race sprint cars. He earned his pilot's license during college. He was a car enthusiast. Matt, along with his dad and son were the Lamar Racing team. Matthew is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Dennis Llewellyn. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Karen Byrd; daughter Britanny Cast and husband, Neal; son Shelby Byrd; parents Chester & Sandra Byrd; sister Shell Llewellyn; brother Wes Byrd; niece & nephews Audrey Byrd, Evan Byrd & Quinn Llewellyn; granddaughter Loran Cast; father-in-law Orville Tate, Jr.; brother-in-law Alan Tate; uncle & aunts Art Byrd & Desira Byrd, Linda & John Dominick and Melanie Crawford; along with many cousins and lifetime friends.