Byron D. Sowers, 69, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
He was born on July 15, 1951, at the farm in Thomas County, Kansas, to
Geraldine (Duffey) Sowers and Byron H Sowers.
At a young age, Byron accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and served
him well throughout his life. As a young man he helped his dad farm and
raise sheep and cattle. On May 19, 1973, he married Linda Thon of Healy,
Kansas. With Linda, he continued to grow their farming and ranching
operation. Byron especially loved raising cattle. He would often be
found out in a pasture just sitting and watching the cows with their
calves. Throughout his lifetime Byron worked many different jobs to
provide for his family. Byron was a custom harvester for 21 years
harvesting grain from Oklahoma to Montana. After he retired from custom
harvesting he worked for Wagoner and Sons hauling wrecked cars back to
the wrecking yard and served as Thomas County Farm Bureau president.
Byron’s last job was to serve three terms as Thomas County Commissioner.
Byron especially had a heart for the mission field. He went on five
separate trips around the world including Ecuador, Scotland, Mexico City
and Belgium. Byron did NOT like to fly on airplanes very much and that
really tested his faith! He enjoyed those trips very much and would
speak about them often with his family.
Byron had a sense of humor that his family and friends loved about him.
He could pass out the jokes and sarcasm as quickly as it was given back
to him. He would always get a good laugh out of yelling HEY! when all
was quiet and getting as many of his kids and grandkids to jump out of
their skin.
After Parkinson’s had set in Byron really enjoyed visiting with people
everywhere he went. He wouldn’t let his disease slow him down and he
became a staple at his grandkids football, basketball, volleyball,
softball, and baseball games. Everyone always knew they would find him
at the corner of the court watching.
Proceeding him in death were his parents, Byron and Geraldine, son-in-law Randy Russ and brother-in-law Duane Carman.
He is survived by his wife Linda of Colby, Kansas; five daughters,
Christina Russ of Colby, Carrie (Rob) Rinehart of Colby, Candra (Sam)
Oesterreich of Springfield, MO. Carla (Josh) Beckley of Atwood, and
Clarissa (Josh) Rinehart of Grandview, MO. Two sons Byron Clifton Sowers
(Amanda) of Healy and Bryon Clay Sowers of Fort Lupton, CO; 22
grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and siblings Norma Carman of
Oberlin, Sheryl Nelson of Gem, and Armin Sowers of Dresden.
Visitation will be at Baalmann Mortuary in Colby, KS on Friday May 21
from 5-7 p.m. A celebration of Byron’s life will be held at the Berean
Church in Colby, on May 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with graveside service to
follow at the Mingo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s
Families of Northwest Kansas and College Drive Assembly of God missions
fund and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS
67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com