Byron Donald Gion

Due to dementia and complications related to a hemorrhagic stroke, Byron Donald Gion, 72, of Renton, Washington, a beloved son, brother, and uncle, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Holden Southcenter Memory Care in Tukwila, Washington.

Most knew him as “Byron,” his dad called him “Butch,” others called him “B” or “Big B,” and nieces/nephews called him “Uncle B.” He was born on January 12, 1950, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Edward Gion and Vera (Loh) Gion. In 1968, the family moved from Castleton, North Dakota, to Washington, for job opportunities where Byron, having only two months left of school, graduated from Jefferson High School in Federal Way. He landed a job at Boeing in Renton as a Riveter and bought his pride and joy… a 1968 Camaro. Due to a Boeing lay-off in 1970, he followed his family to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he worked in the construction business. After a year in Oregon, the family moved back to Washington, to the Renton Highlands. Byron returned to Boeing in Renton, as a Planner, which he retired from around 2012.

Byron was always a jokester, a talented builder, mechanic, a hunting buddy, a wonderful brother, and a generous & loving uncle, who didn’t miss an opportunity to tickle you. He was a huge support to his family, choosing to live with them and save up money till one day he would buy a piece of land and build his own home. During those saving-up years, and even when he moved out, into his beautiful A-frame home, he helped his parents and just about every one of his siblings, in one way or another. He was still helping family when his youngest sibling, Vera, and her husband, Alfred, started a family. He’d come over to walk a fussy baby, take everyone out to dinner, help with remodeling projects and was, basically, spoiling the kids rotten.

He faithfully attended church at St. Anthony’s and he enjoyed bowling, hunting, and golf. As time went on, Byron remained a huge support to his family, and even more so to his mom after his dad died. He and his brother, Albert, would take her out to eat on Friday nights, pick her up to attend church every Saturday evening, plus dinner out, and then breakfast out on Sundays. Our mom was one lucky person to have two wonderful sons looking after her during those years.

We could go on and on recounting all the ways in which Byron was a great help to his family. He will be sorely missed.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Ken Jahnke, and his niece, Amanda Gion-Ford.

Surviving are his six siblings, Donna M. Jahnke, Frank W. Gion, Brenda L. Roth, Edward A. Gion, Albert R. Gion, and Vera P. Girard.

Funeral Mass:

Friday, June 3, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. (Viewing at 10:00)

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church

Renton, Washington

Celebrating:

Father Xavier Basil, Parochial Vicar

Lector:

Alice Deacy

Pallbearers:

Troy Roth

Jason Roth

Darek Girard

Garret Girard

Amy Girard

AJ Garza

Ernie Garza

Edward Gion

Lunch:

Lunch will be served at Renton Masonic Hall, 505 Williams Ave. South, Renton, 98057, right after the mass, to 1:30 p.m.

Interment:

Greenwood Cemetery, Renton, Washington

“You’re everywhere, except right here, and it hurts.”