John Welborn Byers Jr.

John was born in Charlotte on June 11, 1922, the son of the late John Welborn Byers, Sr. and Lillie Austell Byers. He was born on E. Worthington Avenue, growing up in the Dilworth neighborhood, and graduated from Central High School in 1940. John then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. After the service, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1948 with a BA in Commerce. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. John was always proud of his family’s Cleveland County roots.

He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 67 years, Frances Byers Byers, who passed away in June. Also preceding him in death were his sisters, Agnes Loven, Mary Harrill and Emily Gardner. John is survived by his children - Debra Byers and husband Phil of Charlotte, Susan Muir and husband George of Augusta, GA, John Byers, III of Charlotte, and Martha Byers and husband John of Livingston, TX; his grandchildren - Martha Swaim and husband Morgan, Sara Muir, George Muir, Jr., Welby Byers and Mary Charles Byers; and his great-grandchildren - Maley Seabrook Swaim and Elizabeth Byers Swaim.

John devoted his 40 year real estate career to his treasured work alongside his "work family" at C.D. Spangler Construction Co., where he retired as vice president. He served as President of the Charlotte Homebuilders Association and President of the Charlotte Board of Realtors. As recently as 2012, John was voted “Realtor of the Year” by his peers at the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association. In the early 80’s, he was encouraged to and ran for Charlotte City Council.

John loved playing golf with his buddies at Myers Park Country Club, where he was a member since 1960. He also enjoyed fellowship in the Charlotte Navajo Club and the Fifth Dimension Sunday School Class at Myers Park Baptist Church. He shared his love of fishing and camping with his family and was a lifelong Tarheels sports fan. Even in his nineties, John was thrilled to take a ride in both a sailplane and a B52 bomber. And just last month, he enjoyed his favorite BBQ sandwich at Red Bridge’s BBQ Lodge in Shelby.

We would like to especially thank the C.D. Spangler Construction Co. family for their continual love and support of our Dad long after retirement, always making him feel very special. He loved being able to attend his Monday office luncheons until recently.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Harry & Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road in Charlotte. A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 4, 2015 at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road in Charlotte. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.