In my first post about Chris Byrd, I said that I didn’t really know him, but over the past few days with memories and dedications respectfully flooding my Facebook news feed, I’ve discovered that I actually had more interactions with him than I had originally thought. So I’m writing this post today, the day of Chris Byrd’s memorial service, in honor of him and his family.
Last night, Noa reminded me that Chris was actually in the last CTV segment I ever made. A segment from the 2008 Senior Finale about CTV The Musical 2 (watch it here), I interviewed him asking for his thoughts about the musical. Only a short clip from the interview was actually used, but I remember how enthusiastic and excited he was about the show. Here’s a screenshot:
My other memory of Chris is actually really strange. Sometime last year, Chris drew a graffiti picture on my Facebook wall. It’s clearly some kind of inside joke, but Chris and I don’t have any inside jokes. Chelsea and I have concluded that it was meant for somebody else, so if anybody has any idea what this means, I’d love to know. I never asked.
It’s been a rough week for everyone, especially for those who were close with him.
If anyone came across this page from Google or whatever and are looking for more information, I posted it here.
RIP Chris. Don’t waste the cookie.
dean Pictures, Text chris byrd, cooper city, ctv, facebook, funeral, graffiti, memorial, rip
You know that person that everybody & their mom knows, but you’ve never actually met? Chris Byrd is that person for me. We have 216 mutual friends on Facebook, and he probably even knew who I was, as I definitely knew who he was… but nobody ever introduced us, and we never actually talked.
For those who don’t know, Chris died last night in a fatal car accident in Tallahassee. I may not have known him, but anyone who goes or went to Cooper City High, anyone who is a friend of a friend, or anyone who dies so young deserves special recognition.
My thoughts & prayers are with Chris, his brothers, and his family. RIP.
UPDATE (11/10/09):
This post has received over 400 hits over the last few days since Google is sending people here who search for “Chris Byrd.” Obviously, I don’t have much posted here other than my thoughts so I figured it’d be best to point you all in the direction of more info on what happened and the funeral arrangements.
News Report on Tallahasee.com:
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091107/BREAKINGNEWS/91107002/-1/breakingnews/Man-dies-in-Tallahassee-vehicle-crash
R.I.P. Chris Byrd Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=172899307479
Chris Byrd Tribute Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZaBFlpi6gs
UPDATE (11/12/09):
Funeral Service Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177080935667
If anyone who knows more would like me to post something here, please feel free to e-mail me at deandagati@nyu.edu or post a comment.
dean Text chris byrd, cooper city, rip, tallahassee
Let me just start by saying that I really don’t know too much about what happened. The rumors around Facebook are that he died from “complications with bronchitis.” While I think that’s true, what I know for sure is that this whole thing isn’t some sick joke… since I texted Pichardo and he called the school. It’s true.
I never actually had Mr. Boone as a teacher, but he liked to hang out in CTV a lot with Pichardo, and as I also spent quite a bit of time in that room, I knew him a little bit. It’s kind of scary to think that just a week or two ago, he was perfectly fine, giving out final exams, and now…
I think I speak for everyone in Cooper City when I say our hearts are with Robert Boone & his family. RIP.
dean Text boone, cooper city, rip
