Oran Kleo Byers

Oran Kleo Byers was born on November 18, 1950 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to Kleon and Beulah Byers. He passed away in Glendale, Arizona on August 23, 2026, at the age of 75, after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease). Oran was born with mild hemophilia which caused him to be aware of his mortality when he was very young. He made his choice known to serve God at the age of 18.

Oran met Diane Bruer at a Wisconsin church convention in 1971. They were married on July 21, 1973 and lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1978, they welcomed twin daughters, Brenda and Rachel. Oran worked a variety of jobs—including in a hospital’s housekeeping department, electroplating, and making parts for film-processing machines—before attending vocational-technical school to become a machinist. The family moved to Glendale, Arizona in 1983. He worked as a machinist operating and programming CNC machines, making metal parts for the aerospace industry for 37 years, retiring in 2020.

Oran loved understanding how things worked. He was handy with building, fixing, and completing electrical and mechanical projects around the house and on vehicles. He was interested in photography, visiting geographical/historical sites, and collecting antiques and vintage memorabilia, among other things. Oran also enjoyed bicycling, hiking, and traveling. He encouraged his daughters to be self-sufficient by teaching them practical skills such as vehicle maintenance—changing tires and oil.

Above all, Oran loved God and the Bible. He enjoyed discussing spiritual matters, studying scripture, and learned Hebrew to better understand biblical words. Oran and Diane had fellowship meetings in their home for 34 years. Oran showed remarkable perseverance while living with hemophilia and later hepatitis C contracted through a blood transfusion, which necessitated a liver transplant in 2004. He spent the last year of his life at Kristal Bell Assisted Living where he was well cared for. He also received care from Hospice of the Valley during the last two months. Although ALS ultimately overcame his body, it did not diminish his intelligence, curiosity, determination, faith, or love for his family. He will be remembered as a man who spent his life learning, solving problems, going on adventures, and seeking to know God more deeply.

Oran was preceded in death by his father, mother, and younger sister, Karen.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diane Byers of Glendale, AZ; daughters Brenda Byers of Tempe, AZ and Rachel (Nathan) Lyon of Eureka, CA; sister Onara Byers of LaCrosse, WI, one niece, many cousins and friends whose lives he touched. He will be deeply missed, but the things he taught his family, the adventures they shared, the conversations they had, and the faith he lived will remain with them. Like the pen that’s put away, the ink remains.

Call in Number: 669-275-1518

Livestream link to follow:

Livestream link for funeral service:

https://www.youtube.com/live/wEBH4OJ7hns?is=qXecTBfWQawBP1dd

Livestream link for graveside service: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/IrFCNGH4XxM?is=oTLweDoZonR7G72S