Dana Lee Byrum, 61, of Chesapeake departed this life peacefully on December 17, 2013 surrounded by his family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Byrum, and mother, Montaez Byrum. Dana is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Cheryl; brother, Joseph and Ann, sister-n-law; two sons, Patrick and Paul Smith; daughter-in-laws, Melissa Smith and Stephanie Hart; and three grandchildren: Jordan, Caroline, and Michael Lee. Dana was born on July 1, 1952 in Portsmouth, Virginia and was a 25 year resident of Kentucky. Dana lived a fulfilled life, epitomized by kindness, generosity, graciousness, strength, determination, and hard work. Unselfishly, he committed his life to his family, friends, and co-workers. Dana was a cherished member of Jack Frost Enterprises, where he worked for 20 years and went to work regardless of illness or personal hardship. Dana took great pride in providing for his family and considered this one of his greatest accomplishments. Dana can be best described as always thinking of others before himself and once committed, would never let you down. An active Mopar and muscle car enthusiasts, when not with his loved ones or at work, he could be found working in the garage on the next project with his son Patrick or with his dear friend, Ed Miller, working on the next race car. The only thing Dana enjoyed more than working on Mopar, was drag racing them, which he had been doing since the 1970’s. Dana participated in numerous charitable events with his friends and family as a member of the Tidewater Mopar Club where he touched many lives. Dana embraced life and faced its difficulties with determination, graciousness, and inner strength. Dana fought his illness until the very end. His intelligence, humor, genuine interest in others, and willingness to always put others before himself, kept him young at heart and loved by many. Dana had many cherished friends whose love, companionship, and friendship he immensely enjoyed and appreciated. Dana’s gentle soul, love, kindness, and generosity will be greatly missed by all. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a memorial service on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Family Choice Funerals & Cremations, 5401 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach to celebrate Dana’s life. His life will be honored with a display of Mopar Muscle cars by his friends from the Tidewater Mopar Club. Dana, we love you and you will be deeply missed by all the lives you touched with your time on this planet! Please share your condolences with the family at www.FamilyChoiceFunerals.com
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you will be missed by all we know that you will be watching over family and friends
I know this is a hard time but the kindness, loyalty, and friendship that I personally shared with Dana was second to none. He will be so very missed in my every day life and the memories of our good times racing and working on the Mopar’s that he loved so much will be with me forever. The short time Sharron spent with Dana will also be in her memory forever. The friendship bond they had because of who Dana was makes her feel blessed he walked in her path of life. R.I.P. Dana. Keep the peace up there. Show them how Mopar’s are really built. We love you and will surly miss you buddy.
It was an honor for us to have you as a member of the Tidewater Mopar Club. We always looked forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings and our events. Dana and his family especially enjoyed making the Foodbanks Mayflower Marathon cruise-in every year where they made generous donations for the hungry. Dana was an inspiration to our younger members and we always enjoyed seeing how he enjoyed life so much. That zest for fun is what we should all aspire to. My bet is that you are looking down at us with that big smile and twinkle in your eye as every Mopar drives by. We miss you here, but we know that you are in a better place and will still be with us in our hearts. Thank you Dana for the tremendous memories and friendship you provided to us all. It was my pleasure to call Dana my friend. Rest in peace Dana and may God bless your beautiful family.
Butch
TMC President
To Cheryl and family: I never met Dana and sorry that I didn’t. He must have been a great friend to many and a wonderful husband and father. Cheryl, I am sad for your loss. I hope life is good to you as you continue on without your husband.
I love you Cheryl! You were both so strong and courageous. I will say nothing of your grief because I know it is beyond description- but I want you to know that your family’s pain is on my mind. peace to you- Cara
I am so very proud to have known Dana. He has left a hole in my life that will not be easily filled. His honest and caring friendship sets an example for us to follow. Our loss is Heavens gain. May God touch your family and be with them in this time.
I only got to know Dana for a short time however I’ll treasure every moment. Every time I saw Dana at TMC club functions and events he always seemed to have a smile to share. I’ll miss that smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
As a distant member of the Tidewater Moper club I had never met
Dana but would like to exprees my conolences to his family and friends.
I hope that Got will give you an inner and remember all the good times
that you spent with him.
God Bless you Dana, Wayne A. Lee
Centreville, Maryland