Byron Sowers

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. Byron graduated from Colby High School in 1969 and attended Colby Community College, where he received his Associates of Arts degree, in 1971. 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, & Clarissa (Josh) Rinehart, of Grandview, MO; two sons, Byron Clifton Sowers (Amanda), of Healy, & Bryon Clay Sowers, of Fort Lupton, CO; 22 grandchildren, Abigayil, twins, Austin & Ashton, & Allyanne Russ; Leighton, twins, Lydia & Landon, & Lyssa Rinehart; McKayla, Jacob, Vanessa, & William Oesterriech; Byron Kael, Stryder, & Johnna Sowers; Blake, Blaine, & Garett Beckley, Brielle, Josiah, Ezekiel, & Anna Rinehart; great grandchildren, Waylon & Baby Nichols, & Jaxtyn Rinehart 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