Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, James Patrick (Pat) Byers of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the age of 78. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines with visitation from 9 a.m. until service time. Entombment will be at Resthaven Mausoleum.
Pat was born February 29, 1944 in Council Bluffs, Iowa but grew up in Nevada, Iowa where he graduated from Nevada High School. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where he served as an Altar Boy. Pat worked at the Nevada Fareway Store until he became a proud Marine. He was a helicopter hydraulic mechanic during his two tours in Vietnam and was honorably discharged as an E-5 Sergeant. Pat then worked at and retired from the USDA in Ames, IA after many years.
He is survived by his daughter, Melissa Howard (Steffan Hampton); son, Jedidiah Robert (Jackie) Byers; grandchildren, Blane Patrick Byers, Cal Robert Byers, Brynn Ann Byers and Blair Elaine Byers; brother, John M. “Mike” (Kaye) Byers of Winfield, MO; sisters, Kathleen (Kate Byers) Nosbush of Mora, MN and Theresa (Byers) Knott of Omaha, NE; brother, Charles (Linda) Byers of Maricopa, AZ; sister, Cecelia (Dave) Grossman of Louisville, NE; and brother, Steve A. (Leslie) Byers of Omaha, NE.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Elaine (Griffith) Byers; parents, Michael and Gerry (Cosgrove) Byers; sister, Connie (Byers) Robinson; maternal and paternal grandparents; and brother-in-law, Bill Nosbush.
Memorials may be directed to NRA or National Audubon Society.
