James J. Byers

James J. Byers, age 81, of Newark, DE, and formerly of Bear, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 11, 2016. Born in South Bend, IN on June 3, 1935, he was the son of the late John H. and Ellen L. (Dougherty) Byers. Mr. Byers graduated from Cascade Locks High School in Oregon and received both his undergraduate degree and Masters in Education from the University of Delaware. A proud military veteran, he served in the Oregon National Guard until he was activated for duty with the Army during the Korean War from 1951 until 1953. Mr. Byers later served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 until 1957. After his honorable discharge, he worked for 12 years with the Boeing Company in Philadelphia, PA as a quality control specialist. Mr. Byers would then accept a position as a mathematics and computer programming teacher at Glasgow High School, where he would spend the next 18 years, retiring in June of 1999. He was a member of the Delaware State Education Association, the National Education Association and the AARP. A man of strong faith, Mr. Byers was a longtime parishioner of St. Paul R.C. Church in Delaware City. Following his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Jeannie. The couple spent 6 months of each year in Alaska, where they delighted in camping, salmon fishing, kayaking and white water rafting. Mr. Byers also enjoyed bowling, reading and listening to the music of various church choirs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Ann “Jeannie” Beldyk-Byers; and brother, John R. Byers. Mr. Byers is survived by his granddaughter, April Blondin of Newark, DE; and great-granddaughter, Ashley Roberts. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Tuesday morning, November 22, 2016 at St. Paul R.C. Church, 209 Washington Street, Delaware City, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.