Byron Davis Myrick's Obituary
Beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, pastor, and friend, Rev. Byron Davis Myrick passed peacefully in his sleep at home on December 11, 2024, beside his beloved wife of 64 years, Norma Ruth (Johnson) Myrick.
Byron was born May 11, 1937, at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, proudly pronouncing he’s been Methodist since birth, and maintained a fondness & preference for Methodist Hospital throughout his life. Parents Joel Cecil Myrick and Velma Moselle (Davis) raised him in the Pleasant Grove community, setting the example of an active church life. It was through activities with the church youth group that he met his future wife, Norma Ruth Johnson. While they dated off-and-on during high school, it was college years and a fateful backpacking trip the summer of 1958 that set them on their lifelong journey together.
Byron graduated from Pleasant Grove HS, played football at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark, and received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Austin College in Sherman. In the midst of that, Byron and Norma Ruth married on June 3, 1960. While she taught English, he continued his education and attended Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Co. While a student there, he served his first two congregations outside Sterling, Co. Their two children, Byron Davis II and Alesia Ruth, were born during the years living in Colorado.
Byron joined the North Tx Conference of the Methodist church and was ordained Deacon in 1964 prior to graduating seminary. His first assignment following graduation in 1966 was to Imperial Heights UMC in Dennison, TX. Ordained Elder in 1967, Byron served several congregations throughout North TX from 1966 to 2000, including 16 years at Lake Highlands UMC here in Dallas. Additional joyful service included working as the District Youth Director assisting with Methodist summer camps at Lake Texoma and Bridgeport, leading Conference-sponsored youth and family backpacking trips in Colorado and New Mexico, participating in mission trips, including to Chile, and serving as Conference statistician. Of course, we know ministers don’t just “retire”. He continued after retirement frequently taking 3-6 month stents to fill vacancies and needs around the conference, participating in youth & mission trips at Wesley UMC in Greenville, and twice spending a month serving a congregation in Sitka, Alaska when they needed coverage while their full-time minister was out. Countless weddings, funerals, baptisms, confirmation classes, Disciple Bible studies, prayer breakfasts, and late-night or early-morning hospital visits filled his ministry.
When he wasn’t tending his flock, Byron also enjoyed working in the kitchen, learning how to roll tamales while in Colorado, and his homemade fresh biscuits and gravy were a big draw for the early morning prayer breakfast, as were his cinnamon rolls. His delicious yeast rolls were a staple around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Byron loved his family, loved being in “God’s country” (especially by a mountain stream), and loved time spent with friends. An avid fisherman, he frequently enjoyed time fishing with family and friends and, for many years, tied his own flies.
Byron is survived by his loving wife, Norma Ruth (Johnson); children Byron Davis Myrick II and wife Alicia (Klinger) in Paris, TX, and Alesia Ruth (Myrick) Pearson and husband David Pearson in Dallas, Tx; grandchildren Molly Ruth (Myrick) Casillas and husband Cinjin Casillas in Houston, TX, Grace Elizabeth (Myrick) Bowen and husband John Bowen in Campbell, Tx, Noah Christopher Pearson in Dallas, TX, and Wyatt Cade Pearson in Dallas, Tx; great-grandchildren Ruby Amelia Bowen and Callum Davis Casillas; sister Linda Jean (Myrick) Ward and husband Jay Ward in Richardson, Tx; nephews Brandon Ward & family and Andrew Ward and many cousins and friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 26, 6:00-8:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home on Greenville Ave, Dallas.
The memorial service will be Friday, December 27, at 3:00 pm at Lake Highlands UMC, 9015 Plano Rd, Dallas, 75238, following a family graveside service at noon.
Memorials suggested to Lake Highlands UMC in Dallas, TX, Calvary UMC in Paris, TX, UMCOR, Waco Children’s Home, or N Tx Food Bank.
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