John “Johnny” Robert Byrne, 68, of Owensboro, passed away November 17, 2018, at Twin Rivers Nursing Home. Johnny was born in Union County on October 7, 1950, to the late James Norman (O’Pa) Byrne and Melissa Carolyn Berry Byrne.
Johnny retired from AT&T, formerly Bell South, after being with the company for over 30 years. Following his retirement, he found an unexpected dream job driving preschoolers for the Daviess County Public School System. Johnny Bob enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, all things cars, and collecting hats. Johnny was very passionate about family and friends and loved spending time with them; it was the number one thing in his life. Although family always knew that a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake from the Big Dipper was a close second.
Johnny is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Mary Martha Day Byrne; a son, John Robert Byrne Jr. (Maxson); daughters, Angie Marie Blair (Dennis), Amber Lee Gatten (Jim), and Jessica Renee’ Parker (Chris); grandchildren, Sydney Nicole Blair, Taylor Leigh Blair, Ryleigh Grace Parker, and Kaleb Morgan Parker; brothers (who added an optional “s” to their last name) James David Byrnes (Bobbye) and Mark Lewis Byrnes (Mary Pat); and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral Mass for Johnny Byrne will be 12 pm Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Henderson. Visitation will be from 2 until 7 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with prayers at 7 pm. Burial will take place at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Henderson.
The family has asked that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the American Alzheimers Association.