John Joseph "J. J." William Byrne

J. J. was born on Friday, the 28th of January 2005 in Solola', Guatemala, the son of Dr. John G. and Dr. Theresa A. (Mengert) Byrne. He was a 2025 graduate of Memorial Senior High School in Houston, where he excelled both academically and athletically in track and field. Currently, he was a student and enrolled at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

J. J. was preceded in death by his mother, Dr. Theresa A. (Mengert) Byrne only 32 days prior. Survivors include his father, Dr. John Byrne; brothers, Christopher Byrne (and his fiancée, Arabella), Matthew Byrne (and his wife, Faith), and Andrew Byrne; and nephew, Charles Byrne. He is survived as well by his aunt and uncles and their families: Mary Sullivan (and her husband, Jim) and their son Michael Sean (and his wife, Rachel); James “Jimmy” Mengert; Daniel “Danny” Mengert; Matthew “Matt” Mengert; Mark Mengert (and his wife, Christy) and their children Luke, Abby, Greg, Michele, Emily, and Paul; and Michael “Mike” Mengert. He is mourned, too, by countless friends and extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 13th of June 2026, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 505 West St. Thomas More Way in Spokane, where Father Patrick Kerst and Father Sean Raftis are to co-celebrate.

The family will gather for a entombment at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 15th of June 2026, at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, 7200 North Wall Street in Spokane.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in J. J.’s memory may be directed to Eagle’s Nest International Orphanage in Sololá, Guatemala (the home from which Theresa and John welcomed two of their sons, JJ and Andrew.) by selecting the link below under ‘Donations’.

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