BYRON F. EYE

Byron Floyd "Pete" Eye of Lenexa, Kan., left us to be at home with our Lord on April 8, 2010. The family rejoices that he is home in heaven, but the family and his many friends will greatly miss him and his beautiful piano music. He was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on October 30, 1932, the third child of the late Dr. Boyd Franklin Eye and the late Mary Sutton Eye. He graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 1951 and later enlisted in the United States Navy, serving honorably aboard ship in the waters off Korea. He studied music all his life. His mother was his first teacher, and he later studied under Gladys Schnarff in Kansas City, who taught at the Conservatory of Music. During his service years, he was a member of the U.S. Navy Band and played at the Rose Bowl and many other performances. He returned to Kansas City and pursued a career in its famous jazz environment, forming the Pete Eye Trio. He brightened the lives of all who knew him, whether a lifelong friend or a stranger encountered by chance in one of his musical performances. He was happiest when passing joy to others through his music. As a performer, he was known as one of Kansas City's most treasured pianists, but he was also an outstanding piano technician and tuner. He took special pride in tuning the pianos in his church to perfect pitch. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Smith Eye of the home; his elder son, Craig Eye and wife Teresa and his grandson Craig, Jr.; his younger son, Dale Eye of Minneapolis, Minn.; brother Frank Eye and wife Mary Judson; sister Launita and husband Dan Proctor; stepdaughter Kris and husband Paul Wachter; granddaughters Meaghan and Kaitlyn Wachter; 15 nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Stanley Smith; sister-in-law Debbie and husband Yves Soucy. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan., followed by a reception in Friendship Hall. Private family burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 12, at Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the *Village Presbyterian Church Pipe Organ Fund - 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208, *KC Hospice/Hospice House, 10100 W. 87th, Lenexa, KS 66215, *Coda Jazz Fund, PO Box 412116, KC, MO 64141-2116. Finally, we want to thank the doctors, nurses, hospice staff, and friends who made smooth the road of his final journey here on earth. We cannot restore Pete to our world, neither can we begrudge his advancement to a much, much better place. Rest in Peace, Pete. Condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, Kan., (913) 438-6444.