Frank Byers
June 21, 1936 — January 17, 2024
Frank Le Roy Byers, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, in Murray, Utah from kidney failure.
He was
born on Sunday, June 21, 1936, to George Shirley Byers and Frances Kerner Byers
at Southwest Hospital in Los Angeles, California.
Frank
grew up with five younger siblings in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from
Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra in 1954. After earning a Seminary
Scholarship, Frank entered Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and attended
one year. He enjoyed singing in the University Mixed Chorus and performing in
the Joseph Smith Auditorium.
When
Frank was 20 years old, he went to the Western States Mission for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in New Mexico, Colorado, and
Nebraska. After his mission, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army and reported
to Fort Ord, California. In the Army he was stationed at Naha Airfield Base in
Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War. He helped prepare the missile launchers
for launch. It was scary when the sirens went off!
Frank
married Lillis June Rogers in the Los Angeles, California Temple, October 23,
1968. They resided in Riverside, California. In 1971, Frank got an associate
degree from Riverside City College and then in 1974 he earned a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Social Work from California State Polytechnic College in
Pomona, California. He worked in Los Angeles County doing Social Work. During
this time, he was serving in the Los Angeles Temple as well.
In
1975 Frank and Lillis moved to Columbus, Nebraska. He worked at Platte College
as a custodian and at a couple of companies as a welder. Frank enjoyed
traveling so they went to many different places around the western states and
also to Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1980 they moved once again, this time to Salt Lake
City, Utah, where Frank worked at the Primary Children's Hospital.
At the
age of 16 Frank became fascinated with the growth of his Church in Southern
California. So, it became a 'hobby' of his to visit the Branches and Wards to
see where they met and how many members were there. This led to Frank starting
to collect information on them through newspapers, books, talking to people,
and other sources. Later he started gathering information on the Church's
Stakes, Missions, and Temples worldwide. By then he was using the computer!
Anyone visiting Frank and Lillis saw his many 3x5 cards in shoeboxes! Lillis wo
so patient! When Frank retired in 1997 from LDS Hospital, he had more time to
work on this hobby! Well, in 2011 he donated 50 boxes, containing much of his
information, to the University of Utah Library's Special Collections. The
librarians were excited and impressed!
Frank
is survived by siblings Bruce Byers (Charlene), Alan Byers (Connie), Bonita
Byers Yanda, Richard Byers (Leisa), and Karen Byers Johnson (Joel).
He was
preceded in death by his wife, Lillis June Rogers Byers.
Frank
lived a full and rich life, living and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
working hard, enjoying meeting and helping people and his Church, especially
the missionaries.
Frank
will be buried in the Kanosh City Cemetery on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 1
PM. There will be a graveside ceremony.
The
family wishes to thank Rocky Mountain Home Health Care & Hospice for their
helpful care and concern for Frank and our family.
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