Obituary of John Byrne JR

John H. Byrne, Jr. of Homeplace Farms, Lowry, passed away Monday, September 3, 2012 in the same home where he was born on April 20, 1925. He was a son of the late John Henry Byrne, Sr. and Grace Edwards Byrne. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Dale Byrne and his oldest son, James Lawrence (Larry) Byrne. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Sue Carol Dickason Byrne, twin daughters, Carol Byrne Bolling (Richard) of Bedford, Ellen Byrne (Mel Fitzgerald) of Richmond, and his youngest son, John Tyler Byrne (Cathy) of Bedford. In addition, he is survived by nine grandchildren, Catherine Bolling of Washington, DC, Matthew Bolling of Denver, Colorado, Patrick Bolling of Lexington, Andrew Bolling of Bedford, Bridget, John Michael & Tyler Fitzgerald all of Richmond; Beatrice, Grace and Audrey Byrne of Peaks Island, Maine. He attended the "University of Lowry", a one room school house before graduating from Bedford High School. He then attended the University of Notre Dame until his father convinced him to come home and run the family farms, which he eventually named Homplace Farms to reflect his birthplace. He and his father canned tomatoes in Lowry and Florida under the name "Otter Brand Tomatoes." He was a founding member of the Westwood Hunt Club in Bath County, VA, a life member of the Angus Association and the Elks. He had a rich and rewarding life serving on various boards and committees. He was a charismatic, engaging storyteller, and a lifelong learner always interested in history, geology and politics. While a cattle farmer, his legacy and true passion were his turkey dogs. He created the "Appalachian Turkey Dogs" through selective breeding with the end result being a "perfect turkey dog." The family requests that those wishing to make memorials consider the Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, September 7, 2012 at 1 PM at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford. The family will receive friends from 11 am until the time of the service at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.