Dr. James Byron Speed, age 64, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Curtis Chapel Cemetery in Starkville, MS.

Born on October 12, 1960 in Columbus, he was the youngest son of James Everette Speed and Lou K Speed.

Byron spent the earliest years of his life in Columbus before moving to Starkville at age 10. He spent many a spare moment during this time fostering his love for motorcycles and cars - a hobby he would remain passionate about for the rest of his life. Following his graduation from Starkville High School in 1978, Byron attended Mississippi State University.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi Nursing School in 1983, Byron was admitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine. His classmates there have described Byron as a welcome presence with a much-beloved, quick-witted sense of humor. Despite his often casual demeanor, Byron was incredibly intelligent and dedicated to his studies, often the first to finish exams and nearly always ranking near the top of his class.

Upon completion of his medical studies in 1990, Byron continued on to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for his residency and fellowship, which he completed in 1994 and 1995 respectively. He was a pioneer of the then-burgeoning interventional radiology field, and was the first fellowship-trained interventional radiologist in Tuscaloosa. For twenty six years Byron practiced at The Radiology Clinic in Tuscaloosa, as well as being on staff at DCH Regional Medical Center and several other medical centers in the surrounding area.

Even while juggling all these responsibilities in Tuscaloosa, Byron made time for the things he valued most. Outside of work, he could often be found in his garage modifying his Jeep Wrangler or dutifully maintaining his 1971 Porsche 911. He enjoyed spending free weekends at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, where he was able to share his passion for cars and racing with likeminded individuals from around Alabama and the Southeast. Beyond this dedication, Byron was even more devoted to his family and friends. He was a loving and committed father to his only son, James Harrison Speed, born in 2002. Even from a young age, Byron was committed to sharing his knowledge and excitement for learning with Harrison - he had a particular aptitude for explaining even the most complicated of concepts in terms even a five year old could comprehend. He enjoyed exploring the world with his son, sharing incredible experiences and cherished memories across a myriad of trips around the globe. Byron was a profoundly present and impactful figure in his son's life, and was so proud of the man Harrison has grown into.

In 2021, Byron retired to his hometown of Starkville, where he lived in close proximity to his older brothers Michael Elwood Speed and Carl Everette Speed. In his retirement he continued to enjoy working on cars, taking on construction and landscaping projects across his family's property, and spending time with his dear friend Chanda Stevens.

Byron is survived by his son, Harrison, as well as his two brothers, Carl and Mike. He is predeceased by his mother and father.

Byron was fond of the work of Billy Graham and his son Franklin Graham; as such, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a charitable donation in Byron's honor to Samaritan's Purse, a humanitarian aid organization providing help to children and disadvantaged individuals across the world.