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Byron J. GREANY

1922 - 2018

Byron J. GREANY obituary, 1922-2018, Spokane, WA

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Hennessey Valley Funeral Home & Crematory

1315 North Pines Road

Spokane Valley, Washington

Byron GREANY Obituary


GREANY, Byron J.

Victor Hugo wrote, "When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age." This quote exemplifies our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Byron Greany, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Byron was born in Hudson, Iowa on July 23, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. William Greany, an Irish farm family. Byron attended consolidated schools in Dike until 1938, when his family moved to Elliston, Montana, where Byron finished high school. After attending the University of Montana briefly, Byron took a job at Boeing in Seattle until a Civil Service exam qualified him for a job working alongside the Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Peck, Montana, lasting until the last load was dumped for the new dam in October of 1940. Byron enlisted in the Navy, completing Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, followed by assignments that led to a Dental Assistant position at Norfolk, VA. He accepted a position in the Navy's V12 Officer Training Program at the University of Virginia, completing sufficient requirements for application to dental school, and with his Navy service completed, was accepted into the University of Minnesota Dental Program. As a senior dental student, Byron enlisted in the Army Reserve, married his first wife, Rosemary Huth, and following graduation that spring, was called to active duty as the Korean Conflict began to develop. He was sent to Fort Lewis for training and it was there, in April of 1950, that Byron and Rose's first daughter was born. Byron was called to active duty for what was to be a "short tour" at the army clinic in Pyongyang, N. Korea. However, as tensions and conflict began to escalate before his arrival, he was re-routed to South Korea, where he served for two years. Subsequent assignments to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Leavenworth, KS, were followed by his Honorable Discharge from the Army. Byron moved his family of now four to Anaconda, Montana, where he purchased a dental practice and he and Rose continued to grow their family. After practicing dentistry for 36 years, Byron retired in 1986 and he and Rose moved to Spokane in the fall of 1988. The anticipated years of retirement with Rose ended all too soon when she passed away in 1989. Three years later, Byron met and married the other love of his life, Susan Rademaker-Pendleton, with whom he enjoyed 25 years before Sue's death in 2017. Sue and Byron shared many hours with their large blended family and traveled extensively across the world, experiencing other cultures, new foods, and sharing precious time together. Byron's service, honors, and awards included the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, and American Legion. As a Veteran, he felt honored to be a guest on the Inland Northwest Honor Flight, whose mission is to ensure that veterans have the opportunity to visit the Washington, DC war memorials erected in their honor by a grateful nation. Professionally, Byron served in local and state offices for the Montana Dental Association and as a Western Regional Dental Board Examiner. He was inducted as a Fellow into the Pierre Fouchard Academy of Dentistry. Community service included President for the Anaconda Hospital Association, and 20-year Board Member for the Anaconda Daly Bank (Norwest Bank). Byron's deep spirituality and devotion to the Catholic Church was ongoing and included humanitarian work with Mission trips to Mexico to provide dental care for people in remote villages. Byron enjoyed hard work. To many it seemed like his hobby was physical labor. Whether he was working in the mines near Butte, on I-90 construction near Saltese, at his small ranches and cabin in Montana, or at his homes in Spokane, he always kept busy. The last few years he finally "slowed down" to just playing golf with a small group of friends a few times per week or walking four to five miles per day at a clip many young people would envy. He was an annual Bloomsday participant through his 80s and early 90s, winning the event for his age group at the age of 90. Stanislaw Jerzy Lec wrote, "Youth is a gift of nature, but age is a work of art!" Byron was that work of art! Byron is survived by his seven children: Mary Jo (Jim) of Valleyford, WA, Patty Burke (John), Dan Greany (Sharon), and Colleen Groh (John) all of Spokane Valley, Laura Post (Bill) of McMinneville, OR, Kathy Weishaar (Rory) of Frenchtown, MT, Tom Greany (Kathy) of Louisville, CO, and his three step-children: Cathy Deiter (Mike), Missy Teichmer (Lee), and Steve Pendleton (Julie), all of Spokane Valley. Byron is further survived by his 37 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. The Evening Service (Rosary) will be said on Friday, June 15, 8pm. Memorial Mass and celebration of Byron's life will be Saturday, June 16, 10:00 am. Both will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Rd, Spokane Valley, WA. Burial will be at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, MT.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Jun. 10, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Dear family of Byron Greany,
We mourn the loss of your father, our dear neighbor, Dr. Greany. So many memories of this fine man and your extraordinary family come to mind. Reading of Byron's life, his service to country, his dedicated service to the less fortunate, speaks volumes of Byron's values and principles. Byron leaves us all with an impeccable example of a purposeful life truly well-lived. In loving memory, we thank you Byron.

David Hagan

June 11, 2018

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

June 10, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Byron GREANY

Jun

15

Rosary

8:00 p.m.

St. Mary's Catholic Church

304 S. Adams Rd, Spokane Valley, WA

Jun

16

Memorial Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Mary's Catholic Church

304 S. Adams Rd, Spokane Valley, WA

Funeral services provided by:

Hennessey Valley Funeral Home & Crematory

1315 North Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206

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