Hometown Heroes - Jeff Byrd
This week’s Hometown Hero is such a singular individual that we are running his profile by itself. While we
normally highlight two individuals on this page, today’s spotlight shines on someone who deserves the entire focus…
The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'hero' as a person who is admired for his courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. By this definition alone, Jeff Byrd is a true hero – standing strong to do what is best, instead of what is easiest, for Dalhart’s 1,700-plus public school students each day takes true courage and nobility. And Byrd has been doing this as superintendent for Dalhart Independent School District for three years, moving here with his family in July 2022 to take on the role. He is originally from an oilfield family in West Texas and lived “all over the area” when young, he said, graduating from high school in Eastland.
Byrd has jumped right in to life in Dalhart. “One of my favorite things about the area is how kind and generous the community is,” he said. “They take care of their own very well.”
As a man who walks the walk, he is committed to doing his own part to help enhance life in Dalhart. He’s a member of the Dalhart Rotary Club, Court of Courage Committee, Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Bi-County Stock Show Committee. He also serves on the Dalhart Area Child Care Center Board and Snack Pak 4 Kids Fundraising Committee.
In addition, he is involved in the Dalhart Education Foundation and has been on the National Rural Education Board for the past three years, serving as its president in 2023-24.
And, with all of this, he is a devoted husband and father. He and Marlo, his wife of 30 years, have three sons. Austin, 26, lives in Amarillo and will graduate with the first class of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in May. Reese, 24, recently graduated from Texas A&M University; he works at Pantex in Amarillo, where he resides. Jake, 17, is a junior at Dalhart High School. Marlo is ESL/Assessment Coordinator for DISD.
Jeff Byrd is also a man who sees the bright side of things. When asked, as all Hometown Heroes are, what he believes Dalhart may be lacking, he answered, “Sometimes we need to be grateful for everything we do have in such a small, rural community. We need to see what’s there.”
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