Obituary: Dennis ‘Denny’ Craig Byrd

Dennis “Denny” Craig Byrd, age 81 of Oxford, peacefully passed away March 8, 2025. Denny was born in Cincinnati Sept. 29, 1943, to Craig and Margaret (nee Davis) Byrd. He graduated from Amelia High School in 1961. On Sept. 7, 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Jayne Ellison. Together they raised their four children. Denny graduated from Miami University with his master’s in education. He retired from the New Miami School District in 1993.

Denny is survived by his children, Chuck Byrd, Devon (Jana) Byrd, Erin (Brian) Vogel and Kyle (Dessie) Byrd; his step-children, Sheila (Danny) Williams, Tracey (Tim) Mikesell and Bobby (Sharon) Farthing, and their families; his special friend, Karen Allman; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Janet (Wayne) Harris and Marcy (Tom) Senour; his brother-in-law, Johnny (Diane) Ellison; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Craig Byrd and Margaret (Garnett) Cann; his wife of 34 years, Jayne Byrd; his wife of 5 years, Jean Farthing-Byrd; his granddaughter, Eden; his in-laws, Robert and Florence Ellison; and his brother-in-law, Robert Ellison.

Denny was a strong man of faith and loved his family and friends deeply. He had a quick wit with the remarkable gift of storytelling and entertaining. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. And as an educator and coach, he mentored and positively impacted so many lives. Denny was a self-taught guitar and banjo player. He brought joy and laughter to others through his love of music and knack for silly song composing. 

On April 5, 2025, a Celebration of Life open house will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by a memorial service at noon at Immanuel Baptist Church located at 1770 Eaton Road, Hamilton, Ohio.

This obituary was originally published on the website of Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home and has been edited for length.