Dr. Ronald Clark Byars of Fayetteville, Ga., passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015at the age of 80, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s – Dementia.
Dr. Byars was born in Griffin Ga. on January 4, 1935 to the late T.J. and Virginia Byars. He attended Griffin High School where he was a member of the varsity football team and track team followed by West Georgia College. He graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee with the degree of Doctor of Optometry. He first practiced Optometry in Augusta, Ga. and later in East Point, Ga. and Fayetteville, Ga. For a number of years he practiced with Lester Eye Center at Northside Hospital followed by part time practice at his Fayetteville office until his retirement in 2012. Dr. Byars was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Kiwanis Clubs. He was an avid hunter and had many hunting trips all over the United States and in several foreign countries. He was a collector of special edition guns and at one time held a Federal Firearms license. Dr. Byars had an excellent knowledge of antique clocks and owned more than 75 clocks.
Dr. Byars is survived by one brother, Dr. T. Joel Byars (Helen) of McDonough, Ga., two sisters, Shirley E. Davis of Griffin, Ga. and Sandra J. West (Jerry) of Stockton, Calif., nieces and nephews, Jenny B. Ritchie of Winston Salem, N.C., Renee Richards and Mollie Jines of Stockton, Calif., Thomas F. Byars Md. of Atlanta, Ga., Russell “Rusty” Byars of Franklin, Pa. and Jerry West, Jr. of Stockton, Calif. and his beloved caregiver of many years, Bonnie Dupree.
A Funeral Service to Honor the Life of Ronald “Archie” Byars was held on Saturday, April 11 at Conner-Westbury Chapel, Griffin, Ga. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Ga. The family received friends from 6PM to 8 PM Friday, April 10 at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home in Griffin. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Southern College of Optometry Scholarship Fund, 1245 Madison Ave, Memphis, Tenn., 38104 or to a charity of your choice in memory of Dr. Byars.
Please join the family in honoring the life of Dr. Ronald Byars by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin is in charge of arrangements.
