The bridge that crosses the Etowah River on Hwy. 53 East will soon bear the name of a local man who made positive impacts on the lives of numerous scouts in Dawson County.

"We're dedicating the bridge in honor of Marcus Byrd, a great man that many knew in the community and a man that did so much to give back to this county," said State Rep. Kevin Tanner, who authored the resolution to rename the bridge.

His grandson Calvin Byrd said the family is honored by the gesture.

"It's a great honor that 20 years after his death that they're still wanting to honor Papa with this dedication," he said. "I was 10 when he died, so I didn't realize the full spectrum of all he did for this community."

A family man with deep roots in the community, Byrd started the county's first Cub Scout troop before later serving as a pack master and Boy Scout leader.

"Mr. Byrd dedicated three decades to the Boy Scouts of America organization, and under his leadership and tutelage numerous young men went on to earn Eagle Scout rankings and become productive adults," Tanner said.

Tanner was one of the many young men that benefited from Byrd's mentoring, according to his son Mark Byrd.

"I appreciate Kevin Tanner for doing this for my daddy and for our family. He was one of Daddy's first Eagle Scouts," he said. "Daddy was a great asset to our community. Now I'm a bit biased, but I think if you asked anybody that knew him, they'd say the same thing."

Mark Byrd said the family, many that live in close proximity to the bridge, is looking forward to the dedication ceremony.

"It's going to be exciting to see his name memorialized on this bridge," he said.

The dedication will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 8. Tanner asked that attendees park at Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze, just east of the bridge.