Robert J. Byars Jr.

Robert John Byars, Jr., “Bobby”, of Houston, Texas, age 44, passed away Friday, January 28, 2011, at his home in Houston. Bobby was born August 14, 1966, in Houston, Texas, to parents Robert J. Byars and Bertha Rodriguez Byars, and has two siblings, brother Carl Wayne Byars and sister Lydia Byars Shepherd.

Bobby attended Round Rock High School and enjoyed playing baseball, football and running track during his years there. He was a 1997 graduate of ITT Technical Institute with a 3.8 GPA earning an Associate degree in Electronic Engineering.

Bobby was a “Techie”, as he would say, a “computer guy”. He enjoyed computer work and gaming, playing online with family and friends. He was extremely competitive and excelled at his endeavors, from his work as a collaboration systems architect with IBM and US Oncology, to Fantasy Football, Bobby liked to win, especially by way of technology.

He was a music lover. He enjoyed listening to nearly all types of music, including classic jazz, funk, classic rock, rock, alternative, blues, especially Texas blues, and almost all other genres. He had an eclectic taste in both music and cinema, and enjoyed watching movies, particularly classics, film noir, and sci-fi. It would probably be safe to say he actually loved Robo Cop and The Terminator.

Bobby’s interest and passion for music reached beyond listening, to creating, as he took guitar lessons, and was self-taught on the keyboard and drums.

Bobby was such a diverse and passionate person, with many interests and talents, he was a fascinating person to know. His family would describe him as intelligent, thoughtful, and funny. Some of Bobby’s favorite ways to spend his time included being with family and friends, fishing, playing guitar, keyboards, and drums, building and flying remote control airplanes and helicopters, along with a variety of other remote control operated vehicles, Texans tailgating, astronomy, watching and taking pictures of birds, visiting Galveston Island, golfing, listening to music and driving his car, correction, driving his car fast. Bobby had a need for speed.

Bobby recently purchased a Honda motorcycle and began to ride. He found great solace and peace while riding his motorcycle, and riding it was something that made him feel truly alive.

During the last two years before Bobby’s passing, he turned over a new leaf in his life. He changed his eating habits, became much healthier in all of his choices and was adamant that family begin to do the same. He began to see the world through different eyes after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in December of 2008, and a positive attitude and healthier, more appreciative outlook on life became his guiding force.

He embraced the Tao (Dow) and began to develop a level of spirituality that supported his new-found, eternally positive and appreciative attitude. He was courageous and admirable in his ability to remain positive and humorous despite the overwhelming odds of his disease, making both his family and caregivers laugh at the most unexpected times. “Pull my finger” was a consistent request that never failed to produce a laugh.

Bobby was brave in his quest to beat the odds given by his illness. He was open to all options of treatment, participating in the testing of clinical trial drugs and participating in an experimental form of brain surgery which took place while he was awake and could answer questions put to him by the surgeons as they removed his tumor. The word “bravery” just doesn’t seem adequate when describing Bobby.

Bobby had a great desire to find a partner he could spend the rest of his life with, “the one”, and was determined to pursue that dream, not allowing his medical situation to prevent him from loving and being loved. When he finally opened his heart so freely he received an immediate answer to his prayer, her name is Linda Cruz. An angel sent from heaven that made the last eight months of Bobby’s time on this earth sweeter than he was able to imagine it would be. He happily spent the rest of his life with the woman he had been seeking. What a blessing for Bobby and for all those who love him.

Bobby left behind a family that he loved very much, that very much loved him. His friends were equally as supportive and loving as his family and he felt a great appreciation for the prayers, positive thoughts, and positive energy that were constantly flowing in his direction. To quote Bobby, “I am trying to stop taking the world so seriously, to relax and enjoy this one life we have on this most amazing planet”.

Bobby is survived by his parents, Bob and Bertha Byars, his brother, Carl Byars and his wife Pam, his sister Lydia Byars Shepherd and her husband Brian, a nephew, Justin Byars, along with his aunt Doris Rodriguez and her husband, Michael Stuart, his uncle Amel Rodriguez and his wife, Gail, his uncle Lupe Rodriguez and his wife, Sally, and a long list of beloved cousins.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Dora C. Rodriguez, his maternal grandfather, Guadalupe Rodriguez, his paternal grandmother, Katie Byars, his uncle Able Rodriguez, his uncle Will Rodriguez, and his aunt Cheryl Rodriguez. All of who are currently busy “showing him the ropes” and likely greeted him with fishing poles in hand.

What you’ve just heard is a mere scratching of the surface as description of this extraordinary person who transformed himself into an example of courage, bravery and kindness while facing fear and the possibility of his life on this earth being taken away far too soon. Another quote from Bobby, written in an email he sent to family and friends on July 15, 2010, the day before his second brain surgery, reads as follows: “Please know that the outpouring of love I received almost two years ago was life changing for me. It propelled my spirits and enabled me to rise up and fight, resulting in a very successful recovery which led to the discovery of my spirituality and myself, as well as a rich appreciation for life. I’m not sure I would change things given the chance”.

So, let’s all remember his example and follow his lead, appreciating every second, minute and hour of the life we’ve been given. As Bobby would say, “Go for it”, “Let’s roll”, “Let’s do it”, and of course, “Let’s get it on”.