Obituary of Eugene "Gene" Byrd

Mr. Eugene "Gene" Byrd, Sr. of Rio Vista and former resident of Isleton passed away unexpectedly Saturday November 3, 2007 in a Fairfield hospital at the age of 69. Mr. Byrd was born May 8, 1938 in Morehead, Arkansas to Robert and Bertha Byrd. Mr. Byrd first served as an Officer and later as Chief of Police for the town of Isleton along the Sacramento Delta River for many years before retiring in 1998. He also served as a Sergeant for the Williams Police Dept., a Deputy Sheriff for the Colusa County Sheriff's Dept., and most recently enjoyed his retirement by working part-time for the Rio Vista Chevron Station. He was a member of the California Peace Officer's Association and Law Enforcement Alliance of America. He was an avid outdoorsman and marksman, and enjoyed collecting firearms, fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends. He will be best remembered as a loving and caring husband and father, as well as for his continued public service and contribution to the Delta communities. He is survived by a son, Eugene Byrd, Jr. and wife Jacque of Lodi; 2 daughters, Deanna Jones of Biggs; Devonna Smith and husband Andrew of Napa; a brother, Robert Byrd; 2 sisters, Edna Parks and Alice Olivares; 5 grandchildren, David and A.J. Smith,; Jennifer, Lisa and Kala Jones. A graveside service with law enforcement honors will be held Saturday November 10, 2007 at 11:00am at Rio Vista Cemetery, under the direction of Lodi Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday 11:00-4:00 pm at C.E. Stewart Chapel in Rio Vista.