Parents: Rose and Joe Byrd, Sr.
Daughter: Kashonda Thigpen
Ronnie grew up on Flint’s northside. He attended Dewey Elementary, Hamady Junior High, and Hamady High School.
Ronnie comes from an elite boxing family and has risen to become one of Flint’s most heralded amateur boxers. Along with his father Joe, Sr. and siblings Joe, Jr. and Laurie, Ronnie will be the fourth Byrd inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame. One record that stands out among his great achievements are 87 wins and 7 losses in his senior record.
Mayor Rutherford and Flint Chief Max Durbin awarded Ronnie a certificate proclaiming Wednesday, July 18, as Ronald Byrd Day in the City of Flint along with a key to the city.
Ronnie was in five National Boxing Tournaments and took three titles.
Runner-up in the Junior Olympics, the P.A.L. Invitational Tournament in New Mexico and in multiple sports.
He went to Squaw Valley, California to seek membership on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Ronnie won the National Police Boxing Tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut and won the State Golden Glove Championships and APO Title where he advanced to the National quarterfinals in both tournaments.
Ronnie won a Gold Medal in the National Sports Festival, and beat two opponents in his first National P.A.L. outing.
