Byron James Bigelow, 79, passed away on Oct. 7, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, and returned to his Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born on Jan. 30, 1928, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Silas and Cecil Bigelow. Byron attended Oregon State University and the University of Utah in engineering and physics. During World War II, he served with the 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he served an LDS mission in Colorado and New Mexico. After his return to Salt Lake, he fell in love with Marjorie, his little sister's best friend, who had grown up while he was away. They married Aug. 31, 1950, in the Salt Lake City LDS temple, and this year, as long-time sweethearts, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. Byron pursued a career in finance and banking, which took the family throughout the Rocky Mountain States and the Pacific Northwest. They settled in Boise in 1971 where Byron continued to work for Idaho First National Bank (now US Bank). He retired in 1993. Byron performed a great deal of volunteer service for the LDS Church throughout his life, including as a Stake High Counselor, member of the bishopric and as a High Priest Group Leader. After retiring, he and his wife directed the Church's genealogy center in Boise. They also served at the Boise LDS temple. Byron loved walking daily with Marjorie, biking, golfing, roller-skating, playing miniature golf, and bowling. He rafted and tubed the Boise River with friends and family over many years, sometimes riding a ten-foot diameter inner tube. Byron began cross-country skiing when he was 55, and he continued to ski with his children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends until he was 75. Byron especially enjoyed ice cream, in any flavor; his motto was "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream." He relished playing with his children and grandchildren, giving them "pony rides" on his knee, and attending countless wrestling matches, soccer games, school concerts, plays, spelling bees, and more. Byron shared numerous trips throughout the United States with his family, and traveled with his wife after retirement. Byron is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joyce; and his adopted brother, Lyle. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; one sister, Dianna; seven children and their spouses (Ron and Ellis; Larry and Pam; Linda and Mike; Tom and Carla; Barbara; Mark and Claudine; Sharon and Joseph); 21 grandchildren, and four and 7/9ths great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007 at the Northview L.D.S. Chapel, 6711 Northview St., Boise. Friends may call to visit with the family on Friday, October 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Relyea Funeral Chapel, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. at the church on Saturday prior to the services. Interment will follow the services at Dry Creek Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Relyea Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 10/11/2007.