Obituary: Robert “Byrd” Humphreys
Saturday, October 7, Tuesday, October 10, and Thursday, October 12
Complete Obituary:
Kinston- Robert “Byrd” Humphreys, Sr., 93, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, October 14th at 2pm at Westminster United Methodist Church in Kinston.
Byrd was born on May 21, 1930, in the Caswell Hotel in Kinston. After graduating from Grainger High School, where he played football under Coach Frank Mock and co-captained an undefeated team in 1950, Byrd joined the US Navy and was stationed in Guam in a weather reconnaissance squadron during the Korean War. He and his crew flew the World War II PB4Y2 aircraft, the Privateer, into the eyes of Typhoons. His transmitted messages became part of weather reports in the south Pacific. He remained proficient in Morse Code into his nineties and enjoyed amateur radio.
After his military service, Byrd and his wife, the late Sarah Jean Humphreys, moved to Maryland, where Byrd taught in a high school. He then worked for three years with the Pilot Life Insurance Company in North Carolina. He completed his Master’s Degree in Education from East Carolina University. He was a teacher and football coach at North Lenoir High School and later worked as an administrator for 17 years at E.B. Frink Middle School in La Grange until retiring. As an educator, he earned the reputation of being tough but fair, a reputation all good teachers hope to have. He also enjoyed gardening and volunteering at historical sites. In 1981, he earned a degree in Horticulture Technology from Lenoir Community College.
Byrd is survived by his wife of 20 years, Patricia Humphreys; his daughter, Ellen E. Hunsberger; his sons, James S. Humphreys (Joy), and Robert B. Humphreys, Jr., (Choy), several grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a niece, and a nephew. Byrd is also survived by his stepchildren, Susan Overton (Terry), Bobby Faulkner (Teresa), Andrew Faulkner (Andrea), and Jane Faulkner; 8 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren.
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
