Thomas K. Byrne, Jr. M.D. (OBG ’64)

Byrne, Dr. Thomas King, Jr., 83, a longtime resident of Montgomery died on August 26, 2014 at Baptist Hospital where he had practiced as an OB/GYN doctor for the most of his lengthy career. He was born in Birmingham on June 16, 1931 to Thomas King and Ethel Hain Byrne. He attended Philips High School, was active in the Boy Scouts of America and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown Pennsylvania and entered Vanderbilt University, where he joined the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. During the Korean War he volunteered for the U.S. Air Force and at the end of his enlistment reentered Vanderbilt receiving his undergraduate degree in 1955. He was admitted to the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham and it was after his graduation in 1959 that he met and subsequently married Martha Judd Kirklin. Dr. Byrne continued his medical education with a residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota after which he and his wife moved to Montgomery in 1964 where he remained in private practice until 2000. He was a member of the Montgomery Rotary Club, The Montgomery County Club and The Krewe of the Phantom Host in addition to being an avid gardener.

Dr. Byrne was predeceased by his parents and by Martha his wife of almost 50 years. He is survived by his two children Thomas Judd Byrne of Montgomery and Elizabeth Ann Byrne Dugan of New York, his grandchildren Jimmy, Michael and Brendan Dugan, his sister Patricia Byrne, numerous Hain cousins including Margaret Ann Hain Beers of Sardis and Jane Hain Ray of Charleston, West Virginia. A sweet and caring man, he is also survived by his many friends and colleagues, his special friend Susan Haigler as well as the thousand or more men, women and children his gentle hands delivered through the years. The family wishes to thank his long time housekeeper and family friend Geraldine Taylor for her tireless work and devotion, Patricia Dozier Palmer for her professional guidance and compassionate care and Hunter Frazer for her understanding and loving support.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Ascension on Friday August 29 at 10:00 am– the Reverend Candace Frazer officiating. Following the service a reception will be held in Ascension Hall. The family will be receiving guests at their home on Thursday from 5 to 7pm. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Byrne’s family suggests that memorials may be made in his memory to the Church of the Ascension, 315 Clanton Avenue 36104.

Obituary Courtesy of Southern Memorial Funeral.