Gloria Byers

Gloria Wong Byers died peacefully, in her sleep, 7 March 2012 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

She was born 3 December 1926, in Macau, coastal China, daughter of Mr. KC Wong and Mrs. F. K. Wong.  Her family included a sister and three brothers.  The family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where Gloria attended Punahou School (K-12), graduating in 1946.

She took nurse training in Philadelphia, and when war began in Korea, 1950, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps as a Second Lieutenant. Later she was transferred to a hospital near the front line, in Korea, to care for wounded soldiers.

Upon completion of her tour of duty in Korea, Gloria was assigned to Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington, D.C.  It was there that she met her future husband, George, who also had recently returned from army duty in Korea.  Months later, they were married, in the Chapel of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 16 December 1955.

When George completed military duty and took a teaching position at the University of Kansas, Gloria served briefly in the hospital at Fort Riley Kansas, retiring as a Captain, A.N.C., then came to Lawrence.

Gloria and George have three sons, Bruce (born 1958), Brian (1964), and Douglas (1965).  She was a devoted mother, but when her boys no longer required full-time attention, Gloria served as a part-time nurse with some local doctors and at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Gloria is survived by her husband, by son Bruce, his wife Cynthia and daughter Tiana, Brian, his wife Dana, son Evan and daughter Emily, and Douglas, his wife Terra and sons George and Isaac, all of Lawrence.  Also surviving are her brothers, Richard, wife Evelyn, and Walter, wife Nancy, of Honolulu.

Gloria was an enthusiastic fan of K.U. sports, particularly basketball.

A private graveside service will be held, the family will welcome friends at a reception Saturday, 10 March, 2-4 p.m. at 2707 Oxford Rd.

The family requests no flowers, but contributions in memory of Gloria may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
 

10 Condolences

  1. Jim & Angie Evers on March 8, 2012 at 8:21 am

    Brian and all the Byers, our condolences on the loss of your dear mother. What a remarkable women she was! Jim’s mom was also a nurse – they are such special people. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless.



  2. Gary Tollefson on March 8, 2012 at 8:21 am

    Bruce and family, I am sorry to read of the passing of your mother. I was amazed at the accomplishments of this woman. You were truly blessed to have her as a mom. May you come to know the peace that passes all understanding through Jesus Christ during this difficult time, and may His strength be there to lean on as you need Him. God bless you. Gary T.



  3. Bruce Elliott on March 8, 2012 at 8:46 am

    The Byers Family,

    I’m sorry to hear about your loss and will be thinking about you during this difficult time.



  4. Dixie Shreves on March 8, 2012 at 8:57 am

    We were so sorry to learn of the loss of Gloria. I remember her fondly from my high school days when I used to babysit for the Byer boys next door. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Dixie Shreves (Omaha, NE)
    Gordon and Elaine Shreves (Omaha, NE)



  5. Jeanette Spencer on March 9, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    To the entire Byers family & friends,

    Hoping the pain lessons daily and your good memories continue to grow. What an incredibly interesting women she must have been, I’m sorry I didn’t know Gloria.



  6. Fenja Brodo on March 10, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    To George and sons I send my heartfelt condolences on your great loss. Gloria was a very special person who graciously welcomed students of George to the house. I have memories of wonderful pies that she used to bake.



  7. Roy Beckemeyer on March 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    George,
    I am saddened by your loss, and wish you strength in getting through this difficult time.
    My thoughts are with you and your family.



  8. Diane Larochelle on March 14, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    This small note is to give you comfort in those difficult times. This comes from God’s word the Bible (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God. . .And also
    (Revelation 21:3-4) . . .With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. . .
    As you can see death will be no more (soon) it’s a promise from God and may Jehovah wipe the tears from your eyes.
    Sincerely



  9. Norma and Don Baxter and family on March 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    So sorry to hear of Gloria Byers passing, our sympathy to the family



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