Hello Byrd! I know you’re looking down on us all the time. We’ve been playing the CD that John made of your songs for months now in the car. Just last month, JJ’s art teacher, Karen Gay, made the connection. She was so happy to tell us that she and her husband, Bill Gay, played music with you all over Tallahassee for many years, and what a talented musician you are. JJ was able to make out a few lines off the top of his head: “take that old guitar out the closet, put some wings on the strings and come and play with me.” She just lit up and I’m sure you did as well. Maybe he’ll pick up the guitar as well, and love making music. I really hope so. Karen was sad to hear you passed, but so happy she gets to spend time with your grandson. May you rest in peace for all eternity!
1
Today, Byrds Birthday, I am reminded of how much we both loved billiards from almost the time I was shoulder high to a table. We both spent serious amounts of time at Snooks place right across from the Cairo pool. There was a time in those early teen days that I could beat him. Snooker was the game that I miss so much, and miss even more, not getting to challenge him anymore. He accidentally taught me how to shoot pool one-handed, after roughhousing with him, left my arm broken and in a cast.
He introduced me to selling newspapers when I was 6 years old in Thomasville. We would walk the downtown area hollering, "Get Your Thomasville Times Enterprise!" I later helped him sell GRIT newspapers on a Cairo route. From that experience, I continued in Cairo to deliver newspapers on a bicycle, and then on a motorcycle & car once I was legal to drive. Many Great Memories!
0
It's hard to believe it has already been a year since we lost Byrd!
0
I only just learned of Gary’s passing and I want to extend my sincerest condolences to Gary’s family. Gary and I were classmates in law school. Before and during law school, we were also frequent tournament-mates (in that world he was affectionally the “Bird”) and traveled together to compete in Lincoln, Nebraska our final year in law school (in the middle of exams, no less). Gary was a top line competitor, but he found time to keep me calm, constantly reminding me to “just make the next shot” (of course, that wasn’t his strategy as his game resembled more closely multi-dimensional chess). He never knew how many times over the years I have invoked his name when trying to coach my kids to stay in the moment on an otherwise daunting path. Some lessons just stick. Our paths seldom crossed after law school but when they did, we always shared some laughs, memories and favorite music. I’m grateful for his friendship and mentoring over those years and I have no doubt he will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives he impacted, whether he knew it or not.
1
Happy Easter Byrd! I know you were looking down on us smiling that day at the Bay when JJ and Aleida reeled in their tiny brims. Thank you for raising John to be a loving husband and father.
1
As quoted by a former legal co-worker (Veronica) describing Gary (Byrd) as a modern-day Renaissance Man. My son (David) said that was the best few words description and I now agree that anyone could give him. The meaning of the term is; a cultured man of the Renaissance who was knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields. A present-day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field.
0
Sending my deepest condolences to Gary's family. I had the great pleasure to work with Gary for a number of years before he retired from the Department of Health. As others have expressed, Gary was a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to share that knowledge with the rest of us. You could also count on him for a great story, and if you were lucky enough you got to see him perform at Salty Dawg or some other venue. I will always remember Gary with geat fondness.
1
My sincere condolences to Gary Asbell's family. I first met Gary when I took over from him as Presiding Officer for informal hearings at the Florida Department of Health. He stayed on part time for a while after I joined the Department and we would often meet to discuss how I was supposed to do the job. I called him Maestro, not for his musical talent, but for his absolute mastery of Administrative Law. The comment on the tribute video about his exceptional memory is spot on. I could never keep up with his citations of authority and facility with concepts of government. I learned much from him and I'm grateful for his generosity. Through our mutual friend, Bill Reeves, I knew about Gary being a musician. I regret that I never got to hear him play. I don't think I ever would have guessed that he possessed a fine tenor voice. Thank you to Gary's brother Greg for the video with so much of Gary's music and especially for Tom Taylor's "Ballad of Byrd Asbell."
1
1
Share with others
