Claude Fenton Byers

Claude Fenton Byers, 87, of Kansas City, MO, passed away April 12, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his family and went home to be with his Savior and Lord. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Chapel at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, with burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the World War II Veteran's Memorial Fund, in care of Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home. Claude was born January 16, 1920 in Valley Crucis, North Carolina to Theodore Roosevelt Byers and Dulcie Leona (Fox) Byers. He grew up in Elizabethton, Tennessee where he graduated from Elizabethton High School. He served in the United States Army, 274th Infantry Division, during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during combat, the Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Medal. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans and the American Legion. After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved to the Kansas City area, where he graduated from the Kansas City School of Watchmaking as a Master Jeweler. He was the owner of Byers Jewelry in Kansas City, MO. He also graduated from Kansas City Business College, after which he worked as a bookkeeper at North Kansas City Electric Company, and later became a partner in ownership. After retiring, he conducted his watchmaking and jewelry business from his home. He valued greatly the relationships he had with his customers, many of whom were also his friends. He was a longtime member and served as Deacon for many years of First Baptist Church Raytown. He also was a lifetime member of the Heartland Boston Terrier Club where, along with his wife Ruby, he spent many years raising and showing Boston Terriers. First and foremost, however, Claude was a devoted and cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend. Claude was preceded in death by his wife Ruby Louise Byers, his father and mother and only brother, Clay Byers and his grandson, Guy Alexander Ferrier. He is survived by two sisters, Gladys Combs and Violet Collins of Elizabethton, TN, his four children, Claudette (Kenn) Kerstetter of Olympia, WA, Diana (Don) Melching of Kansas City, MO, Theresa (Michael) Scott of Liberty, MO, Robert (Peg) Byers of Nicholasville, KY, grandchildren Derek Kerstetter of Olympia, WA, and Diana Krell of Bremerton, WA and step grandchildren Brenda Holler of Bates City, MO, Vicki McDonald of Mission, KS, Anthony Melching of Kansas City, MO, Michael Melching of Independence, MO and Brian Ryder, Nicholasville, KY; greatgrandchildren Samantha, Emily, Allison and Olivia Kerstetter, Jacob and Megan Krell and step great-grandchildren Rachel Alterman, Hannah, Peter, and Simon McDonald, Jennifer Carpenter and Sean Holler, and step great greatgrandchildren Thomas and Kaylee Mae Carpenter and Michael Andrew Melching and also many nieces and nephews and extended family. Arrangements: Mt. Moriah and Freeman (816) 942-2004