Robert Byron

Robert Paul Byron passed away peacefully on February 5, 2018 in Roswell, New Mexico. "Bob" was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on August 28, 1932, He was 85 years old. He was the only child of Josephine Velma Harris and Paul Edward Byron. At the age of 4, his family moved to Longview, Texas and he also lived in El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated High School in Colorado City, Texas. He spent summers working in the oil fields with his father.

He received a Bachelor's Degree from The New Mexico Military Institute when it was a 4-year Senior College. He participated in ROTC and graduated with a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant to the United States Army. Upon Graduation, he married Jeannine Hooper Byron of Roswell, New Mexico whom he met on a blind date.

He served his military time in the Army as a platoon leader of Company B in the 73rd Tank Battalion in Korea. He named his Tank "Big Jeannine" in honor of his wife and Company B.
Upon his return from his service as 1st Lieutenant in Korea, that he said was the coldest place on earth, he joined Magnolia Petroleum as an oil scout and he and his wife were moved to San Antonio, Texas, where his daughter Dollianna was born; Corpus Christy, Texas; to Shreveport Louisiana, where his Son Robert Vincent was born; to Jackson, Mississippi for 1 year; then back to Shreveport, Louisiana where his son Paul Hunter was born.

In 1971 Magnolia Oil Company and Mobil Oil Company were consolidated, the Mississippi and Louisiana offices were closing and all were transferred to New Orleans. Instead of making yet another move Bob resigned and moved his family to Roswell where he opened his office as an Independent Petroleum Landman. Bob retired in 1996 but still maintains an office at the J.P. White Building in Roswell with his wife.

He was a voracious supporter of the Goddard Rockets Football Team when his son Paul played and Served several terms as the Goddard Rocket Football Booster Club President and documented countless hours of camera footage of football games and other Goddard High School Events.

He was selected as the Honored Veteran of the Day at the Flag Retreat Ceremony at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida on Father's Day in 2013 for his service to our country.

His children graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he and Jeannine became associated with the Sooner Club. Bob was the official "greeter" at all the Sooner Club Tail Gate events in Norman, Oklahoma prior to every home game for over 25 Years. He and Jeannine drove 500 miles each football season numerous time a year to enjoy his Sooners and family that attended the games. He loved going to the Sooner tailgates, games, Charter trips and special events.
He has enjoyed spending time with his family in Ruidoso at their cabin on Camelot Mountain, Thursday night dinner at the Roswell Country Club and his morning coffee club.

Bob was a 2-time President of the New Mexico Landman's Association. He and several members of the association worked to enlarge the organization with more educational programs. He was also Vice President and Treasurer for 12 years of the 73rd Tankers Association.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannine Hooper Byron of the home; daughter Dollianna Byron of Norman, Oklahoma; son Robert Vincent Byron and his wife Michele of Plano, Texas; Son Paul Hunter Byron of Champaign, Illinois; grandchildren; Kourtni Nicole Beebe, Alexandra Michele Byron, Robert Connor Byron, Zachary Hunter Byron, Sylvia Dane Byron, Robert Paul Byron II and a cousin Kathy Harris Phillips of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday, 10-11am at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Roswell, NM with the funeral to follow at 11 am at the Church. A reception in the parish hall will follow.

Visitation

St. Andrews Episcopal Church
505 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Friday, February 9, 2018
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Service

Funeral Service

St. Andrews Episcopal Church
505 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Friday, February 9, 2018
11:00 am

Cemetery

Ballard Crematory
910 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203