Jim Byrd

Warm Up Holding Expert

Jim Byrd 1972

Jim Byrd, aka "The Tooth" aka "Tweet" aka "Byrdman" aka "Ladies Man." Guess which one of these names is actually listed on his Driver's License? Jim's placement on the third string wasn't totally linked to his athletic skills but was due in part to his Grandpa Special basketball shoes. Jim could run from half court to the free throw line, stop suddenly and then slide the rest of the way to the basket. Feeling that he needed more nicknames Jim later took his talents to the sport of wrestling where "Mat Back" was soon added to the list.


Eventually Jim's athletic ability found a place it could shine. Jim hung up his basketball shoes and put on his...well actually he didn't put anything on, and entered the infamous Anus Race championship. Combining speed, agility, and the legally allowed amount of baby oil Jim slid his way to second place. Losing out to world champion, Jim "Sweet Cheeks" Boyer.

Where Are They Now

We sent out a little survey to each benchie to find out where they are today and what they have done since graduation.  Below are the answers Jim sent to the question, where are you today.
Current State: FL
Current Town: Saint Cloud
Graduated from Webb City? Yes

Places Jim has lived since his life as a Benchie:  
Warrenton Mo, House Springs Mo, Carl Junction Mo, Nevada Missouri, Orlando FL, Saint Cloud FL

Jim's basketball career after 8th grade:
I played one more year and finally gave up on BBall.  I became a wrestler and experienced such great success I earned the name of “Mat Back” from coach Gosch.  That nick name scarred me for life. 

Favorite memory as a Benchie?
Sliding down the court with my Grandpa's special tennis shoes.

Family status, kids, jobs, life highlights, years on parole, etc:
I was still wet behind the ears when I got married…just 3 months before I turned 21.  I married a great girl named Teresa Jessup that I met while going to MSSC.  We have been married for nearly 33 years.  We have 3 kids and 5 grand kids.  Our oldest child, Monica (30) is married and has 3 kids, Isabella (8), Noah (3) and Christian (2).  Aaron, our second child was born with Down Syndrome.  He is 27 and has been an incredible blessing to our lives.  Our youngest, Seth, is 24 is a graduate of Florida Christian College.  He is a youth minister at Southlake Christian Church in Groveland, FL.   Seth and his wife Erin recently blessed our family with identical twin girls.  Their names are Danielle and Kylee.  I have truly been blessed far more than I deserve. 

I worked for O'reilly Automotive for 15 years and for a software company named First Guarantee for 8 years.  I have worked the last 4+ years at Florida Christian College as the Assistant Director of Online Initiatives.  I left O'reilly several years ago because I wanted to start an online auto parts store.  I did start the online parts store but never managed to get it off the ground.  I still have my parts site but is an auto parts referral site now.  If people click one of the links on my page and they order I earn a little commission.  If you are interested check it out at http://www.thepartsman.com/. 

I am working with a friend to create trivia apps for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Droid phones.  We currently have over 20 apps in the iTunes App store.  Do a search in iTunes for Funblast and you will get a list of our trivia apps.  To find out more go to http://www.funblasttrivia.com/.  OK, enough of that...I know I'm a nerd.

I enjoy going to the beach and riding waves on my boogie board.  I enjoy scuba diving.  I also enjoy watching the St. Louis Cardinals play spring training baseball.