Veteran and Attorney Thomas F. Byrne Passes Away at 78
Thomas F. Byrne, a veteran and attorney from Santa Rosa, California, passed away on March 24, 2025, at the age of 78.
Born in Bemidji, Minnesota, to parents Fredrick and Evelyn Byrne, Tom graduated as valedictorian of Bemidji Senior High School in 1964. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas in 1968 while serving in Air Force ROTC.
Tom completed over 100 combat missions over Vietnam and later supported SAC nuclear alert operations with the 379th Bomb Wing at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan, before completing his military service in 1973.
He earned his law degree from McGeorge law school in 1976 and built a respected legal career that included work as an attorney for Honeywell's avionics division in Clearwater, FL, and later as a partner in private practice in Santa Rosa, CA.