Obituaries

May 28, 1944 to October 19, 2010

KALISPELL, MONT. - Kenneth Elwood Byers, 66, Montanna (formerly of Medaryville) passed away at his home, Oct. 19, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 28, 1944 in Medaryville, to the late Ennis and Vivian Byers. He married Jacqueline Dias-da-Cruz on Oct. 28, 1978 in Spokane, Wash. She survives.

He is also survived by his daughter, Nathalie and her fiance’ Jeremiah Maynard; son Nathan and grandson Tyron; brother, Phil and Febe Byers of Waatah; brother Paul and Gloria Byers of Medaryville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Byers graduated from Medaryville High School in 1962. After high school he drove semi-trucks across the country. During this time, he pursued his dream to be a pilot and earned his license. He was a pilot in Indiana, Texas and Alaska before moving to and settling in the Flathead Valley, MT. For a number of years, he taught aviation classes at FVCC. He also worked at Strand Aviation and was a chief flight instructor. In 1975, he was awarded Flight Instructor of the Year in his district.

In the 1980’s, Mr. Byers operated his own business from his home repairing photography equipment. His follow-up business venture was custom gun-smithing and reloading, which he continued to operate into this year. In 1991, he went to work as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Kalispell. It was from there that he retired in 2008. He attended Central Christian Church for many years, and later theFamily Life Christian Church.

Visitation will be Friday, from 12 noon until 6 p.m., at Johnson – Gloschat Funeral Home, Kalispell, MT. The funeral service will be held Saturday (Oct. 30), at 1:30 p.m.,at Family Life Christian Church on Foys Lake Road. Interment will follow at C.E. Conrad Cemetery, Kalispell, MT. 

Memorial donations may be sent to Frontier Hospice, 1111 S. Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson – Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.