Donald Byers

Donald Eugene "Donnie" Byers, 64 year old Welch resident, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 27, 2012 at the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He was born June 29, 1947 in Paola, Kansas to Harry and Velma (Clark) Byers. Donnie graduated in 1965 from Osawatomie High School in Osawatomie, Kansas. He was a basketball player for Osawatomie High School. Donnie attended college at Pittsburg State for a year. He married Patricia Sanders on July 2, 1966 in Osawatomie, they lived there until moving to Welch in 1978. Donnie was a professional welder, and had worked at the Ammunition Plant in Parsons, Kansas for many years. He last worked for the Eaton Corporation in Vinita as a Materials Handler. Donnie loved his children and grandchildren, watching them in their many activities. He was an avid sports fan of the Jayhawks, K-State Wildcats, KC Chiefs, and KC Royals, and he enjoyed going to car shows and races. Donnie was a member of the First Christian Church of Miami. The family includes: his wife Patsy of the home, three daughters, Lisa Highsmith and husband Kyle of Miami, Lori Enyart and husband Charlie of Vinita, Christy Alexander and husband Simon of Collinsville; grandchildren, Nicholas and Natalie Highsmith, Dylan and Lane Enyart; brother Larry Byers and wife Deanna of Gardner, Kansas, sisters, Alberta Fox of Clay Center, Kansas; Sharon Davey and husband Dennis of Osawatomie, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Robert Byers, and a sister Beverly Byers. The family will receive friends at the First Christian Church in Miami on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Friday, March 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Miami, with Pastor Gary Reed and Nicholas Highsmith officiating. Interment will follow at the Welch Cemetery, Welch Oklahoma. Casket Bearers will be: Simon Alexander, Charlie Enyart, Kyle Highsmith, Nicholas Highsmith, Dylan Enyart and Lane Enyart. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Friends may give to the Vinita First Baptist Church Youth Fund or the Miami First Christian Church Building Fund. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 9:00am - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Thursday, March 1st, 2012 6:00pm - 8:00pm, First Christian Church - Miami

Service Details

Friday, March 2nd, 2012 10:00am

Interment Details

Welch Cemetery