James A. Byers

He graduated from Reitz High School in 1954 where he was an all-state and all-american football player. He played for his father, Herman Byers, who was the Reitz Football coach. Jim received a football scholarship and attended the University of Michigan where he was captain his senior year and graduated in 1958. He coached football for 3 years each at Princeton High School and Boonville High School. Jim became the assistant football coach for the University of Evansville in 1965 and served as head coach from 1966 to 1977. He became Athletic Director at the University of Evansville, retiring in 1998. He was very active at Bethlehem United Church of Christ and served as the church board president. He was very active in the Green River Kiwanis Club and the Evansville Quarterback Club where he served a term as president of each organization.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 49 years, Karel (Brooks) Byers, and mother-in-law, Maxine Stults.

He is survived by daughter, Alison Byers (Phil) Tyler; granddaughter, Kathryn Tyler; brothers, George (Joyce) and Phil (Joan) Byers; nieces, Jan Briede and Jenny Benes, and nephews, Phil Byers, Jr., and Steve Byers.

Funeral Services will be 1:00PM, Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 6400 Oak Hill Road, officiated by Rev. Mark Sirnic and Rev. Emily Slade, with burial in Bethlehem Church Cemetery. Friends may visit 3:00PM to 8:00PM, Friday, August 5, 2016 at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue and Saturday from 11:30AM to service time at Bethlehem Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim A. Byers Athletic Student Scholarship, c/o Lance Wilkerson, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47722 or Bethlehem United Church of Christ. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.