August 24, 1931 –  December 10, 2010  COLLINSVILLE – Graveside Services for James F. Byas, 79, will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. Family visitation will be December 13 from 6 – 7 p.m. at Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro, Texas. All service arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home.James Floyd Byas died December 10, 2010 in Whitesboro, Texas.
He was born on August 24, 1931 to Robert Marvin and Anne Lucille (Current) Byas in Weatherford, Texas. R. M. was a Ft. Worth merchant. Lucille was a housewife and active in her church. James grew up on the North side of Ft. Worth with his siblings: Ruth, Charles and Priscilla. He married Hortencia R. Robles on March 3, 1956 in Ft. Worth, Texas. James was musically talented and liked to sing. He received a music scholarship following high school. He also enjoyed bowling. He was hard worker having gone 25 years without missing a day of work. He was an executive in the roof coating and sealants industry for most of his career. He began in the mailroom and ultimately retired as the president of the company after 45 years. He was veteran of the Korean War and served as a medic with the 140th Tank Battalion, 40th Infantry Division along the 38th Parallel during the winter of 1952-1953. He is remembered as a gentle man who devoted his life to his family.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hortencia Byas of Whitesboro, TX; his sons, Daniel Byas, and wife, Kimberly, of Van Alstyne, TX; David Byas and Rhonda Hilton of Dallas, TX; Cynthia Underwood, and husband, Roger, of Collinsville, TX; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, R.M. and Lucille Byas; two sisters, Ruth Dickerson and Priscilla Hill; and his brother, Charles Byas.