Born: October 23, 1932 Kosse, Limestone County, Texas

Died: October, 2, 1013 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Parents: Ernest G. and Beulah Exa Hadaway Byrum

Spouse:
Donna Marie Temple Byrum (1929 – 2008)

John James Byrum Sr., 80, of Waco, passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Graveside services will be at 12 noon, October 5, in China Spring Cemetery.

John was born on October 23, 1932 in Kosse, Texas to Earnest and Beulah Hadaway Byrum. He spent his youth in Kosse and then joined the U.S. Navy in 1951. Mr. Byrum served in the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1953. While in the Navy, he met Donna Marie Templey, in Toronto, Ohio. After his discharge and their marriage, John and Donna moved to Robinson, Texas, where he worked for General Tire for 32 years. In his later years, he served as a lay minister at Central United Methodist Church in Waco, Texas.

John will be remembered as a deeply spiritual man firmly and faithfully rooted in his relationship with God. The Bible described King David as a man who sought after the heart of God; the same could be said of John Byrum. The night before his death, his greatest concern was that he had his Bible so he could read it, as he did every night. Mr. Byrum will also be remembered as a Godly and loving husband, devoted to his wife and sacrificially caring for her in their later years. John was also a loving father and grandfather who took joy in all of his children and grandchildren. He lovingly sacrificed himself for the betterment of his children, and he will always be remembered by them with love and fondness. His family and many friends will miss his genuine, loving heart.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Marie Byrum; and a son, David Scott Byrum and is joyfully reunited with both.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Byrum Harvey and her husband, Stephen; his son, John James Byrum II and his wife, Sandy, and his daughters Melissa Frazier, Amanda Langley, and Stephanie Byrum; his son, Christopher Lee Byrum and his wife, Marilyn, and their daughter Milena; his daughter-in-law, Cheri Byrum Hunter and her husband David Hunter, and her sons, Nathanial and Benjamin. He is also survived by his brother, Harold Byrum; and numerous great-grandchildren.