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2016
Shawn Patrick Byrne
1961-2016
Shawn Patrick Byrne, 55, passed away on November 21, 2016, after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Yon Hui ("Suk Kyong") Byrne and daughter Jessica Byrne. He will be missed terribly and remembered with tenderness.
Shawn, who spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (E9), was born in La Mesa, California. He spent several years of his childhood in San Diego, then moved with his family to Dodge City, Kansas, where he graduated from Dodge City Senior High School. He joined the Air Force soon after and spent his career as an electronics technician at major USAF installations around the world, including Aviano in Italy and Osan in Korea. He retired in 2006 and settled with his family in Cypress, Texas, just outside Houston. At the time his illness was diagnosed, he worked at FMC Technologies as a project manager.
While in the Air Force, Shawn completed his bachelor's degree in computer management. He had a natural gift for computers and math, but he also loved Porsches, tattoo art and movies, especially science fiction and action films. Classic rock n' roll was his life-long passion – he believed Led Zeppelin was the greatest band in the history of the world – and before he became ill, he was learning to play the guitar.
He was a man of extraordinary patience with a gentle demeanor – Shawn volunteered for a time as leader for his daughter's Brownie troop at the elementary school near Aviano AFB. He loved maple donuts, sushi, iced coffee and chopped barbecue beef sandwiches, and he was always a good sport about bringing a corn dish to the family's Thanksgiving feast. He was also famous within the Byrne clan for grilling kalbi (Korean short ribs) to go with his wife's Korean japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) and dumplings. Shawn and his wife Yon Hui were married for 36 years.
Shawn is also survived by his father Joseph Byrne and mother Joan Byrne of College Station, as well as his sister Melissa Byrne Vossmer and her husband Mark Vossmer of Lago Vista, nephew Jacob Vossmer and his wife Leslie Vossmer of Lago Vista, sister Teresa Byrne-Dodge and her husband Cameron Ansari of Houston, niece Taylor Dodge of Houston and nephew Samuel Dodge of Winter Park, Colo.
Shawn never stopped making plans for the future, all the way to the edge of life. His excellent sense of humor shone even more warmly as his illness progressed.
A memorial celebration is planned for Saturday, December 17, 2016, at the family home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Dear family of Shawn,
You have been in my thoughts and prayers these past several weeks, as I went through the holidays having lost my father in 2016. The pain is real, but I pray that the close love of friends and family will carry you through, as my friends and family have been helping me. Shawn will be forever in your hearts with the memories of joy he brought to you throughout his life. With love, Marcie Dodge
Martha Dodge
January 3, 2017
I remember Shawn to be a quite capable Senior Master Sergeant in the US Air Force when we worked together at Aviano Air Base, Italy. He had a quiet demeanor and was very respectful and kind to everyone that he encountered. He was well - liked and his AMMO F-AMMO-ly will miss him.
Mike Robertson
Served In The Military Together
December 13, 2016
May the bereaved family be comforted by reflecting on the many wonderful memories that you can treasure forever.
AL
December 4, 2016
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your love one. May you find comfort in Gods Word. "While you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 1Peter5:7
December 4, 2016
With deepest sympathy, may the power of prayer ease your sorrow, give you peace and provide much comfort for you during this difficult time. Matthew 21:22
December 4, 2016
DEAR BYRNE FAMILY: AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME,MAY YOU FIND PEACE AND STRENGTH(PSALMS 29:11) FROM THE TRUE GOD.SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. PLEASE CHERISH THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU SHARED.
LEWIS
December 2, 2016
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