Danny R. BYERS

1953 - 2024

Danny Richard Byers (70) died peacefully in his favorite rocking chair at home February 22, 2024, with his loving wife and daughter by his side, after his 30-year battle with ischemic heart disease. Danny was a devoted son, brother, husband, dad, papa, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Danny was born to Richard and Patricia Byers on August 18, 1953, in Spokane, WA. In 1971, Danny graduated from Lewis and Clark High School before joining the United States Navy where he served his country during the Vietnam War as a Boiler Tech on the USS Midway earning the rank of petty officer 2nd class. He felt his tour in the United States Navy serving his country was one of his biggest accomplishments and was always proud to be a Veteran. After his honorable service in the Navy, Danny attended Spokane Community College, earning a degree in Refrigeration/HVAC and Applied Science. Danny worked several jobs as a stationary engineer before landing his dream job at Washington Water Power Steam Heat Plant in 1983. This eventually led him to his 25-year career as a Construction and Maintenance Electrician, retiring from Avista Utilities in 2008.

During his time in the Navy, he married "the girl he couldn't quite figure out," Sandy Harris, in August 1973, and together, they shared fifty years of marriage. In 1978, Danny and Sandy bought their first home and settled in Nine Mile Falls, where they raised their two daughters and built memories on the lake with family and friends.

When he wasn't working, Danny loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, trap-shooting and boating. Eventually, he bought a Harley and it was a defining part of his life. He created many memories traveling to destinations such as Sturgis, ND, Daytona, FL and Laughlin, NV and walked away with lasting friendships and stories to tell. He was fond of trips to Cabo San Lucas and the horse races and was a proud Seattle Seahawks season ticket holder.

An enthusiastic collector, Danny surrounded himself with the things he loved. His shop, a haven of cherished items, was a testament to his passion for collecting. He spent countless hours in this space listening to the radio while finding joy organizing, displaying and sharing his collections with visitors. If you ever ventured in there, you would quickly see that there was a place for everything and everything was always in its place.

In the last three years of his life, Danny was determined to watch his grandkids grow up, travel, and attend important life events and holidays. His commitment to his health allowed him to witness and actively participate in the significant milestones and celebrations of his family, creating cherished memories that will endure.

Danny is survived by his devoted wife, Sandy Byers, and their two loving daughters, Shelley Opgenorth (Jake) and Emily Byers George (Odell) and grandchildren, Rollie, Reagan, Tyler, and Imani. Danny is also survived by his siblings, Sherry Peterson, Terry Byers, Penny Pedey, Lisa Low, and Patrick Byers (Arden), along with 6 nieces and nephews.

Danny's passing leaves a void in our hearts and in his family. The lessons he taught and the jokes he told will live on in each of us and all whose life he touched.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Andrew Coletti and his skilled and caring team at Providence Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant as well as Hospice of Spokane for all of their care and support.

A service will be held at the Committal Shelter at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 10:30 am. A reception to celebrate Danny's life will be held following the service at noon at the WW Establishment in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Please RSVP for the reception if you are able to by emailing dnsbyers@aol.com