John Byerly

John O. Byerly John Owen Byerly was born December 27, 1934 to John and Rachel Byerly in Longcreek, Arkansas and died June 13, 2011 in Middleton, Idaho. John was four years old when his family moved to Meridian, Idaho and was the oldest of seven children. John married Bobbie Hall May 11, 1957. From this union, four children were born: Dianne (Lynn) Bennett, Bill (Nanette) Byerly, Wayne (Betsy) Byerly, Lois (Jack) Morris, all of Idaho. John obtained his GED and enlisted in the United States Navy as a senior at Meridian High School. He was honorably discharged from the Navy due to his desire to become a paratrooper. Upon discharge, John enlisted in the United States Army, where he successfully served two tours of duty, for a total of thirty months in Vietnam; retiring in 1973 as a Lieutenant Colonel. John was a true warrior while in service; he received numerous medals for valor, including the bronze star. His military service included airborne, ranger, Green Beret and Special Forces. John completed his Bachelor of General Studies in Business from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Upon retirement from the military John and Bobbie settled in Middleton; where they raised their four children. John continued his work career as a Senior Trust Advisor with Idaho First National bank until retirement in 1987. John and Bobbie enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time with family. John also enjoyed woodworking and working outdoors, maintaining a beautiful garden and flowers at the family farm. John will lovingly be remembered by his family for his love of desserts, always the first in line for seconds and thirds! John is preceded in death by his parents John and Rachel, a brother Richard, two brothers-in-law George Beaton and Jeri Smith and granddaughter, Michelle. He is survived by his wife Bobbie, four children, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as siblings Joan Beaton, Linda Smith, Carol (Tom) Moore, Roger (Marlene) Byerly, Cathy (David) Colburn and sister-in-law Bonnie Peterson. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 17, at 2:00pm at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Interment to follow with military honors at the Middleton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675-8516. John's online guest book is available at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com.