Arthur John Byers

Arthur John Byers was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 22, 1923, and was the youngest son of the late Thomas S. and Jennie G. Byers. He departed this life and entered eternal rest at his home surrounded by family on April 2, 2013, 20 days prior to his 90th birthday.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who enjoyed traveling and telling great stories. He was deeply devoted to his family, friends and church. He also was extremely close to his parents as well as his older brother, Thomas Robert, who preceded him in death in March 15, 1986.

At a very young age, Arthur developed a strong work ethic, one that he later passed on to his children and grandchildren. He attended grade school at P.S. 68 and went on to graduate from Grover Cleveland High, where he was on the baseball team. Early in his professional career, Arthur joined the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, after graduating from the Delehanty Institute in New York.

In 1943, Arthur was drafted into the United States Army, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant while assigned to the 489th Air Engineering Squadron. He served his country with distinction, seeing combat action in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to his position at Mergenthaler Linotype Company, where he retired in 1973 after thirty one years of service.

After dutifully serving his country, Arthur also earned a pilot’s license and later purchased and flew a Cessna 140 airplane. He was a proud American, who loved to celebrate Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.

He married the love of his life, Hazel Audrey Jensen, also from Brooklyn in 1957. They lived in Queens, New York during the early sixties’ before settling in nearby Commack to raise a family. After retiring from Mergenthaler Linotype Company in 1973, he accepted a position as a contract supervisor for the engineering firm of Bowe, Walsh & Associates, leading public works projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York.

His most prestigious position in his career came in 1982 when he was named Deputy Commissioner of Public Works at the Township of Huntington in New York. After completing his tenure there, Arthur and his wife Hazel moved to Acworth, Georgia in 1986. The move was anticipated by their two sons, Kenneth and Robert, who moved to Georgia in the early 80’s.

Arthur quickly adjusted to his new life in Georgia by getting heavily involved with the Acworth, Georgia VFW Post 5408 and the Bascomb United Methodist Church. He and wife, Hazel enjoyed taking trips around the southeast visiting friends and relatives. He also took great pride in the immaculate maintenance of both his lawn and his home. After the birth of his grandchildren, Jennifer (1989) and Bryan (1992), he assumed the role of “Popie” and played a significant role in nurturing and caring for them. This was truly a rewarding experience for him as well as his grandchildren. Their bond was enormous, and he made an incredible and lasting impact on their lives.

Arthur loved baseball and was an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, then the New York Mets, and he followed the Atlanta Braves passionately. Throughout his entire life, he loved to follow politics, never missing a debate or an election. Arthur was proud of his Scottish heritage and always enjoyed a nice meal at a restaurant with friends and fun activities at home with loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas S. and Jennie G. Byers and his brother, Thomas Robert Byers.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 56 years, Hazel Byers of Acworth, Georgia; two sons, Kenneth Byers (Kelly) of Woodstock, Georgia and Robert Byers of Marietta, Georgia; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Bryan Byers, both of Woodstock, Georgia; sister-in-law, Eleanor Byers and nephew, Thomas C. Byers, Jr. of Thornhusrt, Pennsylvania; and two nieces, Christine (Lapp) DeAbi of Celebration, Florida and Susan (Lapp) Brashear of Mansfield, Texas.

Visitation will be held at the Woodstock Funeral Home at 8855 South Main Street, Woodstock, Georgia, 30188 on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 770-926-3107. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Bascomb United Methodist Church located at 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road in Woodstock, Georgia 30189. 770-926-9755. Burial will be at the Pine Ridge Cemetery, 2950 North Cobb Parkway, Kennesaw, Georgia 30152.

In lieu of flowers the Byers family requests that donations be sent to the Arthur John Byers Memorial in care of the Bascomb United Methodist Church at the above address.