Barney Byard

G. Barney Byard, 89, Topeka, passed away January 30, 2016. He was born George Bernard Byard, Jr. on October 16, 1926, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Eunice Loretta Cremin and George Bernard Byard, Sr. Barney lived in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Ponca City, Oklahoma during his grade school years up to his junior year in high school. His family moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he attended Bishop Ward High School, graduating in 1943. Barney served as a radioman for the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946 in the Pacific. He graduated from Rockhurst College in 1950, lettering five years in football. Many years later, he was inducted as a Rockhurst Golden Hawk Member and as a halfback in Rockhurst College Football Hall of Fame. Barney served as a football coach and teacher at St. Agnes High School for two years during 1951 and 1952, one year at Redemptorist High School, both in Kansas City, Kansas and six years at Hayden High School in Topeka, Kansas from 1954 to 1959. Barney was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church since 1965. Barney joined New York Life Insurance Company as a salesman on July 1, 1959. While working for New York Life, he obtained Chartered Life Underwriter designation, became a life-member of the Million Dollar Round Table, served on all chairs in the state of Kansas and locally (Topeka), as well as achieved status as a State Life Underwriter Life-Member of New York Life Councils. Barney married Mary Dean Connor on June 20, 1953. He referred to her as “his best friend always” and said that she carried him through the years of their marriage. He said she was an inspiration and his ultimate help-mate. She survives. Barney is survived by his siblings, Loretta Hamilton and Dick Byard (Kay). He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Byard, (Rosemary) and brother-in-law, Ray Hamilton. Barney and Mary Dean were blessed with five children: Barney Byard (Linda Cunningham), Dee Poe, Cheri Byard (Larry Edgington), Donna Gragson (John) and Barb Andres (Kent), as well as 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Barney is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with burial following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hayden Catholic High School, 401 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka KS 66606 or to Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka KS 66606.

Barney Byard

October 16, 1926 - January 30, 2016