Carl E. Byrd, it was known at an early age that he had a special skill when it came to sports. After playing football and running track, it became obvious to him that basketball had captured his heart and Carl began to dedicate his time to becoming an outstanding student-athlete. Throughout Carl’s adolescent years, you would always see him engaging in a game of basketball, whether it was at the neighborhood park or the Fonde Recreation Center or even during his tenure at I. M. Terrell Middle School he was balling. It was during this time Carl began building his skills to be part of Kashmere High School team that would win back to back state championships in 1974 and 1975.  Carl and his teammates also was awarded the National High School Championship by EA Sports as they were named the Nation #1 high school team in the country in 1975.Carl joined the Rams basketball team earning a spot on the varsity squad as an incoming sophomore during the years 1972 through 1975 at Kashmere High School under the leadership and guidance of Coach Weldon Drew.  Coach Drew had each team member to focus on the mental part of playing the game along with the importance of being a leader/role model on and off the court.  A key factor in helping the team attain such a great accomplishment was teamwork.  During Carl’s three years playing time at Kashmere, their team held a state record of 78 consecutive games winning streak. Of those three years, Carl averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds in their teams 2 state championships and a 3 year winning record of 110-13. After graduating from Kashmere in 1975, Carl attended Northeastern Oklahoma located in Norman, Oklahoma where he was one of the starting players of the basketball team. He left Oklahoma after two years and having earned an associate degree to join the University of Houston Cougars basketball team in 1977-1979 under Coach Guy Lewis.  Carl excelled during his time at U of H and even traveled with the team to Hawaii for a playoff game. After college, Carl pursued a career in the mortuary business, where he did what he loved in life besides basketball. He was involved with many communities in the city of Houston.  His ability to interact with people of all walks of life daily was carried out through his service. Carl was blessed to have been a part of Mabrie Mortuary and before leaving us, he was an active employee with Troy Smith Mortuary. In closing, I Jamarcus Small and my sister, Cassandra would like to give thanks to my uncle, Henry Small and all of my adopted uncles that were members of the Kashmere High Basketball Championship team in helping me to keep the memories alive about my dad, “A True Champion” that will live on forever in my life, Carl Edward Byrd.