Mr. Michael Joe �Mike� Byrd, age 67, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Friday morning, May 6, 2016 at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach.

Born in Piggott, AR, he was the only son and eldest of two children born to the late Billy Joe and Marcella Cooper Byrd. Mr. Byrd grew up in Missouri where he attended high school. After high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy where he served as a Mechanic in the engine room aboard various ships; lastly the U.S.S. Stanley, in Vietnam. Upon being honorably discharged, he and his wife settled in Jacksonville until moving to Fernandina Beach in 1980. He was last employed as a Buyer in the Metal Recycling Business in Jacksonville.

He and his family were actively involved in Hobby Stock Car Racing at the Pecan Park Road facility where their two sons were involved in go cart racing.

Mr. Byrd leaves behind, his wife of 45 years, Jane Byrd, Fernandina Beach, FL, their two sons, Richard Byrd and his wife Leslie, Steven Byrd all of Yulee, FL, his sister, Marsha Peters (Richard), Holcomb, Missouri, two grandchildren, Nicholas and Alexis Byrd and a nephew, Michael Peters.

Funeral services will be from the graveside in Jacksonville National Cemetery at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

His family will receive friends from 5:00 � 7:00 pm on Tuesday at Oxley Heard Funeral Home.