Thomas Edward Byers

"Thomas Edward Byers, age 79, of Baton Rouge, lost his battle with lung cancer on November 5, 2017. Tom was born in Vincennes, IN on May 31, 1938. On October 27, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Pogue in Monroe City, IN. He enjoyed hard work and had several careers in management over the years. He recently retired from Massengale Grounds Management as a maintenance supervisor after 15 years. Mr. Tom was a generous, kind, and loving husband, father, brother, grand and great grandfather, and friend. In 1959, he served as the youngest Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge of Monroe City, IN. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. As a young man he loved to waterski and spent leisure time with his young family camping and boating. He was a faithful member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church for 38 years. Later in life he enjoyed riding his motorcycle with the Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA) of Baton Rouge where he served as road captain. Mr. Tom was great with children and spent many weekends making balloon animals for the CMA Balloon Ministry. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Ann Pogue Byers; daughter Tonya Byers Littmann and husband Jonathan of Denton, TX; daughter Tina Byers Arnold and husband Robert of Baton Rouge; granddaughter Telisa Byers Bickford of Cottage Hills, IL, whom he raised as a daughter; grandchildren ETRSN (SS) Berek Thomas Littmann stationed at Kings Bay, GA; Alicia Davidson and husband Dustin of Central, LA; Dr. Ashley Marcantel and husband Dr. Derek Marcantel of Houston, TX; Courtney Dodson of Metairie, LA; great grandchildren William Bickford; Emma, Michael, and Thomas Davidson; Matthew and Sarah Dodson; brother James Bruce Byers and wife Delores of Vincennes, IN; sister Judith Byers Liniger of Vincennes, IN. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tamara Lynn Byers Lemm and his parents Maxine McGiffin and James Edward Byers. Mr. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 11 at Broadmoor United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his honor to St. Joseph Hospice Foundation, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, and the American Cancer Society.