James R. Byars

Army brat-James Ralph Byars passed away on February 25, 2014. Jimmy was born in Williams Beaumont’s Army General Hospital, Fort Bliss, El Paso Texas on February 19, 1922. He was the son of Major C.R. Byars, M.D.U.5 Army retiree of Columbus, Texas and Gladys Davison Byars of Bay City, Texas.

While living 13 years as an Army brat, he lived in Fort Lewis, Washington, Benicia Arsonal, California, and Atlanta Ga, while his father was stationed at Fort Benning. Ga., Brooklyn, NY,Baltimore, MD., Fort Mills Amry Coast Artillery Base, Corregidor Philippine Island, and San Francisco, California. While Father was on duty on the Chateau Thierry Army transport ship in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, Jimmy was a boarding high school student at the Texas Military Institute for 4 years.

While at T.M.I. ROTC high school, Jimmy attended extra training at camp Bullis, Texas. When he graduated from T.M.I, Jimmy received a reserve commission in the infantry at age 17. This commission was not effective until age 21, except in the case of a military emergency-war. He then graduated from college of Pharmacy at the University of Texas, in Austin 1945, and also from the South Texas College of Law with Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1956. While at the University of Texas, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Jimmy went to Sam Houston to report for duty as a lieutenant in the infantry. He did not pass the physical, so he went back to the University of Texas, graduated, came to Houston until he was drafted.

Jimmy served in the Medical Corps, joined the Ready Reserve as a lieutenant, was assigned to the 329 Army General Hospital and was in the active reserve during the Korean War. He worked as a pharmacist at the Avalon Pharmacy, and joined Abbot Laboratories as a representative for 34 years. He retired in 1983. Other accomplishments include being a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Smith Yacht Club, Assitant State Director of AARP, and an active member of Who’s Who International. Other hobbies include taking cruises, as well as being a member of the Space City Ski Club for many years.

Jimmy is predeceased by wife Helen Judy Byars. Survivors are son John Byars and his wife Robin; two grandchildren, Scott and Emily, two great-granddaughters, Sierra and Ariella; and son, George Byars. “Even my diapers were olive drab”.