Laird “Larry” James Byers passed away at the Rocky Mountain Care Facility in Logan, Utah on June 30, 2022. Finally free from the clutches of Alzheimers.
Larry was born on June 28, 1941 in Eureka, Montana, oldest child and only son for Laird and Cleo Byers. Growing up on the family farm in Old Rexford, he loved his horses and often dreamt of having his own horse ranch in Montana. He attended school in Eureka and graduated from L.C.H.S. in 1959.
After high school, he went on to graduate from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 1967 opening many doors for him in his career choice.
Larry was a Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff, even ran for the coveted Sheriff position at one point. (He almost won too!!)
He was with the Phoenix City Police Department for several years as a motorcycle officer and a dog trainer for the Phoenix K9 Unit before taking a job as a security guard on Johnston Atoll, where he supplied security for many dignitaries and their families. This is where he fell in love with scuba diving – becoming certified and bringing many deep sea treasures home.
As his children got older, Larry decided to find a job closer to home and moved his family out of the city from Phoenix back to his hometown of Eureka, MT in 1973. He co-owned both the Majestic Theater and The Feed Store and after the law enforcement bug bit him again, he re-joined the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department.
In the early 1980’s, Larry moved to be close to his mom in LaGrande, Oregon. This is where he opened his own gunsmith shop, building beautiful one of a kind guns and doing re-loading for many, he moved his business to Richland, WA when he accepted a position with the Richland, Washington Police Department becoming a valued member of the S.W.A.T. team for several years before re-locating to Vale, Oregon to work security at the Hanford Nuclear Base, and also at the Ontario, Oregon Prison as a guard.
Living in Vale is where he met the lady who would become his wife, Leslie. After he retired, they moved to Smithfield, Utah, where he lived until his passing.
Larry is survived by his loving wife, Leslie Byers in Smithfield, Utah.
Son, Kenny (Lori) Byers, Billings, MT; Daughters: Jeri (Rick) Mitchell, Fernie, B.C. Canada, Tammy (Mike) Cain, Astoria, OR, Wendy (Alberto) Oquendo, Pleasant Grove, UT, Cindy Lafleur, Logan, UT, Michelle Hall, Draper, UT.
Sisters: Naomi (Dave) Rogers, LaGrande, OR, Lucy (Orrin) Wagoner, LaGrande, OR, Susie Millering, LaGrande, OR, Dolores (Jim) Reynolds, Eureka, MT and Sister-In-Law: Donna McCully, Eureka, MT,
17 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren & 2 Great-Great Grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Larry was predeceased by his parents – Cleo, Laird & June. His son, Michael, his brothers Jerry & Keith, his grandson Deven and his brother-in-law Farrold.