Mr. Lenvill Bryant Byars

Len Byars went home to his Lord on Monday January 9th of this year. He was 92 years of age. The model of a Christian man, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The most important things in his life were his faith in Jesus Christ and his family. His chief desire was that he honor God with who he was and what he did. He left an impression on all he met and made a difference in the lives of those he loved. His passing leaves a void in the lives of his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.

Lenvill Bryant Byars was born at home in Attoyac, Texas on September 7, 1930 to Henry Harold Byars and Nellie Mae Reed Byars. The oldest of six children, he grew up in Nacogdoches County and came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at 12 or 13. He graduated from Douglass Consolidated High School in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Army on July 8, 1949 and was Honorably Discharged on December 1, 1952 at the rank of Sergeant Regular Army. He attended Stephen F. Austin University on the GI Bill and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He was a member of the Alpha Chi Fraternity. He married the love of his life Martha Faye Hopper on September 4, 1954, and they remained together until death parted them for a while. He taught school for a short period in Lufkin, Texas before moving to Grand Prairie, Texas and going to work at then Ling Temco Vought (LTV) (now Lockheed Martin) as an engineer. He worked on several projects throughout his career and retired as a Program Director on the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) manufactured for the US Army on February 5, 1993 after 38 years of service.

He was a man of faith. A strong and active “Christian by grace and Baptist by choice”, he was at various times a member of Douglass Baptist Church in Nacogdoches County, Englewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Bellevue Baptist Church in Hurst, and First Baptist Church Euless (now Cross City Church) in Euless. He was a leader wherever he attended, serving as a Sunday School / Bible Study teacher, Deacon (multiple times as Chairman), and served on numerous Pastor Search, Personnel, and administrative committees. Cross City Church honored him with the title of Deacon Emeritus.

Len loved sports, playing basketball in high school, and slow-pitch softball and volleyball in church leagues into his 70s. He enjoyed watching football and basketball games – with his home the place where many friends and family gathered for New Year’s Day football bowl games and NCAA Tournament basketball games.

Len and Martha travelled extensively, having visited 21 countries around the world – several of which they visited multiple times. Len travelled frequently on business, and they travelled together for pleasure after retirement. Their gift to each of their seven grandchildren upon high school graduation was a trip to a destination of the grandchild’s choice anywhere in the world. This practice took them (and often other family members) to many spots across the globe, some more than once. Two of their children (Lisa and Marsha) lived abroad with their respective families for periods of time which also contributed to Len and Martha’s travel itinerary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clifford and Junior Byars, and sisters Mae Evelyn Oliver and Nina Mae Byars. Len is survived by his wife of 69 years Martha, brother JW Byars and his wife Elmar Jean of Lufkin, son Mark and his wife Janet of Azle, daughter Lisa Swanzy and her husband Dean of Hurst, and daughter Marsha Hall and her husband Robert of Euless. His legacy includes seven grandchildren with five spouses, and seven great-grandchildren. Len loved children (especially babies) and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were sources of great joy in his life. His memory lives on through generations.

Memorial services will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 57525 Colleyville Blvd in Colleyville on Monday January 16, 2023 at 10 AM. Visitation will be Sunday January 15 from 4-6 PM. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the International Mission Board (www.imb.org).