Obituary of Joe Byers

Joe Byers October 12, 1924 - September 15, 2014 Joe Byers passed from this life on September 15, 2014 in Lubbock, Texas at 89 years of age. Mr. Byers was the direct descendent of some of the earliest homesteaders in Lea County. Over the course of his life he was a soldier, a newspaper editor, a uranium prospector, an author, a teacher, and a farmer. He was the curator of the Ellis Byers Room at the Lea County Museum and served on its Board of Directors. Joe earned a BA in Journalism from Baylor University. Mr. Byers was born October 12, 1924 to Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Byers on the Byers homestead in Hobbs. He was one of six children. He graduated from Lovington High School in 1943. Two weeks after graduation he entered the United States Army. He was assigned to the 104th Infantry Division that arrived in France in 1944. The unit was in continuous battle against German resistance until the end of the war. Joe was wounded in the service of his country and was a true American hero. He was recently selected to participate in the Honor Flight program but was unable to attend. The community has lost an exemplary citizen and servant. Joe will be remembered as a devout Christian and a selfless person who always put the needs of others ahead of his own. As a faithful member of Jackson Avenue Baptist Church he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, choir member, youth sponsor and volunteer. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Peggy Hale and Rossia Short and three brothers: Ellis, Earnest and Edwin Byers. He is survived by eleven nieces and nephews; Frances & husband Enoch Dawkins, Ronnie & wife Rose Short, Nancy Toone, Jim and wife Nikki Short, Kel Byers, Libby Elswick, Ellis Byers Jr., Leslie Byers Dickson, Arthur Hale, Camille & husband David Piland, Peggy and husband Bill Highsmith and numerous other family members. Will Rogers once said; “You must judge a man's greatness by how much he will be missed.” If that is true, Joe Byers was a great man indeed. His service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Jackson Avenue Baptist Church with Reverend Stan Blevins officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Hobbs, New Mexico. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 19th from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lea County Museum, 103 South Love, Lovington, New Mexico 88260 or to Jackson Avenue Baptist Church, 837 West Jackson, Lovington, New Mexico, 88260. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.