Larry D. “Bubba” Byrnes, 64, of Center, passed away Sunday, September 17, 2017, at his residence.

 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Chuck Horton and Tim Roberts officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

 

His survivors include

Wife of 43 years: Mary Byrnes of Center

 

Sons:

Jonathan Byrnes of Center

Larry Joseph Byrnes of Center

 

Brother: Chris Byrnes and wife, Tina, of Center

 

Sister: 

Pam Porter and husband, Russell, of Gary

 

Mother-in-law: Evelyn Sanford of Center

 

Brothers-in-law:

Dennis Crowley and wife, Stacie, of Huntsville

Charles Crowley of Center

 

Sisters-in-law:

JoBeth Kimbro and husband, Tom, of Center

JoAnn Dodson and husband, J.D., of Center

 

Aunts: 

Loyce Watson of Center

Allorah Jo Byrnes of Denver, Colorado

 

Numerous cousins, friends and relatives

 

Special Friend: Amy Allen of Harbor Hospice

 

Sister: Scheli Holloway

 

Preceded in death by

Parents: C. M. “Larry” and Billye J. Watson Byrnes

Grandparents: Thomas D. and Minnie Watson, Clarence and Annie Faye Byrnes

Brother-in-law: Larry Danny Crowley

Sister-in-law: Lisa Scott Byrnes

Nephew: Clint Fenton

 

On November 4, 1952, Larry Douglas “Bubba” Byrnes started his life’s journey in Center, Texas.  At 18 months of age, he contracted polio and was paralyzed from the waist down.  His parents never allowed him to think of himself as disabled.  With hard work and perseverance, he accomplished his goals of swimming, horseback riding, motorcycling, snow skiing, baseball and whatever he set his mind to do.  

 

Bubba was a 1972 graduate of Center High School.  He started Byrnes Dental Lab in Center after completing dental school.  In 1974, he was accepted into the MD Anderson Maxillofacial Prosthetics.  After completing, he went into the field of orthotics at Medical Center Brace in Houston.  Bubba moved back to Center in 1981, where he became partners with his family in ventures such as owning and operating assisted living facilities and the JOI Ranch until his retirement.

 

For the past five years, Bubba, “Cowboy” as he was known, was a dedicated volunteer with the East Texas Motorcycles Enthusiasts Inc. in Chireno to contribute to Make A Wish Foundation.  Cowboy loved this foundation because he always said, “It’s all about the kids.”  He dearly loved his extended family and friends of ETME.

 

Pallbearers will be Trey Byrnes, Beau Buster Byrnes, Morgan Bailey, Stephen Kimbro, Adam Kimbro, Russ Porter, Patrick Porter, Keith Askew and Brian Smith.

 

A special thank you to Dr. Joseph Scarmado and his staff.  Also, a very special thank you to Harbor Hospice.

 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com