Obituary & Life History

Lt. Col. Laurence George Byrnes, USA (Ret), 90, of Gibson Road died Friday, March 12, 2010 at his residence. A native of Brooklyn, NY he had been a resident...

Lt. Col. Laurence George Byrnes, USA (Ret), 90, of Gibson Road died Friday, March 12, 2010 at his residence. A native of Brooklyn, NY he had been a resident of Buncombe County since 1974.

Entered military service in January 1941 as a private and retired in December 1966 as a Regular Army officer with 26 years of continuous active duty. Retirement took place in what was then the Panama Canal Zone.

For the following eight years, he served as a Department of the Army Civilian employee in the US Army Southern Command, specializing in Foreign Military Sales and supply/logistics at the Theater Army level.

His overseas assignments totaled 18 years with service in France, Germany, Italy (Trieste), Formosa (Taiwan), Vietnam, Columbia and Panama. His decorations include, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, NY State Distinguished Service Medal, he earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and both the Parachute and Glider Badges.

Lt. Col. Byrnes was a member of St. Lawrence Council of the Knights of Columbus, where he had served as Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator and Former District Deputy.

He is survived by his son, Laurence Gregory Byrnes of Racine, Wisconsin and a sister, Mrs. Renee’ Roloff of Phoenix, Arizona.

A funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at St. Eugene's Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The St. Vincent de Paul Society, C/O St. Eugene Catholic Church, 1 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28814.

Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent through the website morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com