Dateline: July 3, 2003

Vernon man's body found near Hedley

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Authorities have identified the body of a Vernon man found on a Donley County ranch this weekend as one Theodore Jerome Byrd.

The 74-year-old man has been missing since June 11 and was found after a ranch hand discovered his burned up van on a ranch northeast of Hedley Sunday evening. The sheriff’s office investigated and found Byrd’s body lying under a tree about 100 yards away.

Texas Ranger Gary Henderson was called to help investigate, and the body was sent to Lubbock for an autopsy, which determined Byrd’s death to be accidental from exposure to the elements.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said the man suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed he became lost, got his van stuck, and then burned the vehicle’s motor up trying to get it out. The subject was not burned.

“It looked just like he had laid down to take a nap,” the sheriff said.

Justice Ann Kennedy and the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department assisted in the case.