Ross Reed Byers

Ross Reed Byers was born in Wapanucka, Oklahoma, to Carry Byers, a native of Waco, Texas, and Harry Byers, an immigrant from the Prussian port city Stettin, Germany. When Ross was young, the family moved to Atoka, Oklahoma, where he finished his upbringing. Upon graduation, he attended college in Oklahoma City. During the Great Depression, he started a job with Braniff Airways, an upstart company in the “new” airline industry. He chose to take a leave of absence from Braniff during the onset of World War II, when he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and was chosen to decode Japanese messages at Bainbridge Island, Washington. During the war, he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Ross was proud of his time serving in the Navy. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to a fruitful career with Braniff International, where he worked as a manager of Passenger Relations. In 1951, he began dating an airline hostess by the name of Louise Laursen, who would later become his wife. Upon retiring from Braniff in 1964 after a career spanning 26 years, he decided to move to San Francisco, California. After a long courtship, Ross married Louise on May 29, 1966, at a friend’s home in Dallas, Texas. They returned to San Francisco and started a family. Reed Henry Byers was born in Redwood City, California, in 1968. Rachel Louise Byers was born in 1971, just a few months after they had moved to Houston. He spent the next 21 years selling hearing aids throughout southeast Texas and running his own business in this industry. In addition to his Jewish faith, he had a strong work ethic and was dedicated to providing for his family, continuing to work until a few weeks prior to his 79th birthday. Ross Byers is survived by his loving wife, Louise Byers of Houston, Texas, their son, Reed Henry Byers and his wife, Angela, of Albany, Oregon, as well as their daughter, Rachel Byers Kiernan of Bailey, Colorado. Predeceasing Ross were his parents and four sisters: Camille Byers Merson; Berma Ruth Craig; Sybil Byers, who died at the age of 18; and Maurine Byers, who passed away at the age of 3. The Byers family wishes to give considerable thanks to Alice Russell, for her care and devotion to Ross during these past few years. We also wish to give thanks for the love and generosity toward the family by Ross’ nephews, Harry and Bob Merson. Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, January 17th, 2013, at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.