H. K. Byrne

H.K. BYRNE September 10, 1916 – August 8, 2012 H.K. Byrne was born in Orr, Love County, Oklahoma September 10, 1916 and died, August 8, 2012 at the age of 95, living at Mackenzie House Assisted Living while in his chair. Memorial service will be held at Sanders Funeral Chapel, Sat. Aug 18, at 3:00. He was born in a log cabin to William Marion Byrne and Mittie Martha (Roberts) Byrne. He was fondly called “H.K., Horace, Hoss, Uncle Baba Que, Bud, Opa, and Dad”. He loved his family and his work. Always proud of where he came from, he would typically ask, “Have you ever been to Orr, Oklahoma”, usually, the answer was, “no” so that opened opportunity for telling all about Orr and its people. He came from a time of valuing all his family, including cousins, nephews and In-laws and the importance of work. He knew how to work hard and with perfection. Dad lived a short time in Ray, Arizona and at age 18 was carrying the mail and single handedly running a filling station. He came to Lubbock in his early 20’s by train and hitch hiking. He came looking for work because he said he was hungry. He was attracted to a sign over a diner that said, “EAT”, owned by Dink Webb in east Lubbock. The Webb’s provided him a cot, white shirt for work and food. He also worked at Mark Haulsey Drug Store. Before WWII, he worked in CC camp at Grand Canyon, Az. In 1940, he joined the Navy at age 24 and served on USS PC 580, Malvern, a sub chaser. During this time he stored his one possession, 1941 Mercury at the Pickwick Hotel in San Francisco for a storage fee of $5.00 per month. In 1944, he was discharged from the Navy, retrieved his car which was in perfect condition and drove to his family in Alex, Ok. There he met his wife of 66 years, Beatrice Elizabeth (Carter) Byrne. His two brothers, Corbin M. and Billy T. followed him to Lubbock where they lived their lives, families always connected. The Byrnes were families of boys which provided fun times of baseball and football. He and Bea involved themselves in Little League and Coronado football when they weren’t running their businesses. They owned and operated the first catering business in Lubbock serving Texas Tech events and Cotton Compresses in rural West Texas as Byrne’s Café and Catering. Bea was known for her delicious pies and Hoss, his Bar-B-Q. They were all about West Texas and Texas Tech. After retiring, Hoss was constantly looking for jobs. His last employment was night clerk at Pioneer Retirement Center downtown. He served people younger than himself. His life was an inspiration to all he knew. He is survived by his wife, Bea, his daughter Charlotte & husband Larry Burt, his son Mike and wife, Vickie, sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Byrne, and Mittie Byrne, grandchildren, Ginger Byrne, Nicholas Byrne and Joanna Byrne and two great grandchildren, Maddison and Shelby. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved brothers and sister Rene, a son, Matt Byrne and grandson, Aaron Byrne Hoffman. Rest in peace and we thank you for all the love. Donations to Hospice of Lubbock - 1102 Slide, 79416, ECI-DEBT - 1628 19th, 79401, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

H. K. Byrne

September 10, 1916 - August 8, 2012