Ltc Donald M. Byers

LTC Donald Murill Byers, 90, of Lake Charles passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at a local care center with his family at his side.

 LTC Byers began his military career in 1950 following graduation from high school.  At the age of 16, he enlisted in the United States Army as a recruit.  Upon completion of basic training and rank as Private, he was assigned the 2^nd Infantry in Korea. In February of 1951, he was engaged in the Battle of Chipyong-ni where he earned rank as PFC. On the 1^st day of March, LTC was wounded and evacuated to a hospital in Japan and released to return on the 1^st day of July to the 2^nd Division. In May of 1953, he was discharged from enlistment and returned home to Los Angeles a Sergeant.  LTC utilized this time to work as a full-time Technician with the Army National Guard and began night studies under the G.I. Bill. A man of ambition, sacrifice, and duty, he earned a bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Business Degree in Finance from the University of Southern California. During this time, he quickly rose through the ranks and in November of 1964 was promoted to Captain and ordered to active duty on August 14, 1967 with an assignment to Fort Monroe, Virginia. LTC Byers served a very colorful tour for the next twenty years, leading to orders for his old stomping grounds – Korea; thirty-six years after departing as a PFC. He served two years as the Deputy Commander, Community, Family and Soldier Support Command – Korea and in July 1989 received orders to rejoin the 2^nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey as the Director of Personnel and Community Activities. He departed Korea in July 1991 as Lieutenant Colonel nearly forty years to the day that he departed in July 1951 as Private First Class. LTC Byers retired from Fort Myers, Virginia on July 1, 1992 with 43 years, 6 month and 19 days of active military service. He earned many medals of rank an honor throughout the course of his career, twice wounded in Korea, he was most proud of his earning the Purple Heart, that he was recognized as the last Korean War Veteran to retire from active duty and that his picture hangs in the Pentagon’s Hall of Hero’s. He also enjoyed many years as an active Shriner and member of Masonic Lodge. Being a worldwide traveler, he spent time off hiking, camping, and traveling coast to coast with his family in their motor home. Having spent much of his life in cold weather climates, LTC Byers lived his latest years in Lake Charles, the warm weathered hometown of his daughter. A man of country, faith, and family, he attended St. Luke Simpson United Methodist Church.

He leaves to honor and cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 69 years, V. Joyce Higgins Byers, Lake Charles; two sons, Steven Merle Byers (Robin), Burke, VA: Richard Elvin Byers, Woodbridge, VA; two daughters, Deanna Letha Fruge (Shelby), Lake Charles, Virginia Joyce Byers-Richardson (Richard), Clarksville, TN; grandchildren, Brandon Fruge (Aungelina), Bethany Basden (Logan), Gregory Ross Byers, Jason Merle Byers (Michelle Akers).

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Ora Merle Byers and Kate Edna Snyder Byers.

 In respect of his wishes, LTC Byers will receive full Military Honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. His family will gather for a private memorial celebration.  Dr. John Robert Black will officiate.