James Byron Jr.

HADLEY James Byron Jr., 90, of South Shore Road, died Monday afternoon, March 3, 2008, at Eden Park Health Care Center following a long illness. Born on Oct. 22, 1917, in Queens, he was the son of James Byron Sr. and Isabelle Patterson Byron. He was a 1934 graduate of Harren Aeronautical School in New York City, and it was there he developed a great love for flying. James served in the United States Air Force during World War II. He married Dorothy Roesch on July 18, 1943. He was employed at Macy's Department Store in New York City prior to his military service. Following the war, he enjoyed a 42-year career with Otis Elevator in Queens, retiring in 1979. In his earlier years, he designed the toothpaste tube crimper, an invention he was paid a $5.00 fee for. James and Dorothy purchased their property on South Shore Road in Hadley in 1964, where they started and operated Stewarts Pond Campsites with their family. They continued to run the campground until 2000, at which time they retired, and turned the daily operations to their two sons, James and Randy Byron. He enjoyed camping, fishing, clamming at Oyster Bay, Long Island, boat building, traveling and working at his campground. He was a member of the Hadley-Luzerne Wesleyan Church. He loved his church and his family. He was predeceased by three brothers, Walter Byron, William Byron and Thomas Byron and an infant daughter, Carolyn Byron. Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Dorothy Byron; one daughter, Lynda Michael and her husband, Jon, of Chandler, Ariz.; two sons, James Byron III and his wife, Joanne, of Hadley and Randy Byron and his wife, Sally, of Hadley; nine grandchildren: Matthew Michael and Becky Michael, both of Phoenix, Ariz., Daniel Byron and his wife, Brindel, of Corinth, David Byron and his wife, Leena, of Hudson Falls, John M. Byron and his wife, Angela, of Corinth, Joel Byron of Corinth, Melissa Harding and her husband, Steve, of Jersey City, N.J., Jethro Byron and his wife, Carolyn, of Greenfield and Isaiah Byron of Hadley; five great-grandchildren: Evan James Byron, Titus Eli Byron, Adilynn Belle Byron, Anna Dorothy Byron and Seth William Byron; one brother, John Byron and his wife, Margaret, of Millbrook, N.Y.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Hadley-Luzerne Wesleyan Church, Lake Luzerne. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday immediately following the visitation at the church. Spring burial will be in Lynwood II Cemetery, Hadley. In lieu of flowers, contributions in James' memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association Adirondack Regional Brancy of Northeast New York, P.O. Box 4091, Queensbury, NY 12804 or to the Hadley Luzerne Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 146, Hadley, NY 12835. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brewer Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne.