Bruce Iver Bye

Bruce Iver Bye was the first child of Iver and Ruth Bye, born February 16, 1947, in Spokane, Washington. Bruce was born into a loving home with hands-on parents. His father raised the boys to love God, love family, and love people. He taught them to pray, to study the Bible, and to develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

Their father’s other passion was baseball, and at the age of six, Bruce and younger brother Darrell were coached by him in community baseball leagues until Junior High, when the boys joined school teams all the way through college. Bruce played until his senior year at Fullerton University.

Their mother sowed into the boys her values of education and music. Again, at the age of six, the boys took piano lessons for two years, and Bruce developed a passion for music. In addition to piano, Bruce played the saxophone, sang in choirs and gospel quartets until the early 2000’s.

Bruce graduated from West Valley High School in 1965, in Spokane, and relocated with the family to Fresno, California. There he enrolled in Fresno State College until he was able to move to Southern California graduating from Fullerton University in 1970, with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following graduation, Bruce continued his education, graduating from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California, and was admitted to the Bar Association May 31, 1979.

When Bruce’s father passed away in 1971, Bruce Iver legally changed his name to Iver, and from then on, most people knew him as Iver Bye. Iver had a successful law career that spanned 44 years. He began his practice as a defense attorney, then spent 13 years as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, then returning to criminal defense representation. Iver practiced law until November 11, 2023.

Iver met Linda McKee in 2001, and the two quickly became inseparable. They enjoyed a beautiful life together with family, travel, and being pet parents. In 2002, Iver embraced Messianic Judaism and loved to study the Torah and The Bible daily. He also loved to tell anyone who would listen what he was learning in his studies.

Iver fought to survive his injuries for seven months, losing the battle on June 9, 2024.

Iver is survived by his beloved Linda, his brother Darrell Bye, sisters Wendy McCormick, Kerri Lombardi, and Kathi Henderson, sister in law Desiree Bye and brothers in law Dan Lombardi and Tim Henderson. He is also uncle to Jennifer, Alison, Bethany, Genise, Austin, April, Shannon, and Kristin, along with many great nieces and nephews, and cousins. Iver was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Nikka Bye, Carl and Bernice Lawson, his parents Iver and Ruth Bye, his sister Brenda Bye, and nephew Daniel Bye.

He will be greatly missed, but we know we will see him again.