Melvin Roy Byers

MELVIN ROY BYERS

September 26, 1938, to December 20, 2023

Melvin Roy Byers, 85, of Moscow, Idaho, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday morning, December 20, 2023.

Melvin and his twin brother, Kelvin, were born in Avon, ID to Delbert and Emma (Perry) Byers on Sept. 26, 1938. The twins arrived 6 weeks early. Melvin was the smaller of the two boys and his parents were instructed, by the doctor, to concentrate their efforts on Kelvin. Melvin was to be kept comfortable, as he was not expected to make it. Emma was determined to save them, and with the help of several community women, both survived. They were later joined by the birth of their sister, Judy.

The Byers family grew up in the Avon, Bovill, and Deary area. Melvin graduated from Deary High School in 1957. Immediately after graduating high school, Melvin eloped with his high school

sweetheart, Betty Elliott. They were married at the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho on June 10, 1957. To start their life together, Melvin sold his horse, Pepper, and his saddle. Betty promised she would get Melvin another horse and saddle someday. The newlyweds then headed to Seattle, WA for Melvin’s first job in electronic manufacturing with Boeing. After a short time, Melvin returned to the area and became a lumberjack scaler based out of Headquarters, ID. Melvin then worked in Moscow, ID at Willett Brother’s Auto Parts for over 20 years.

He went back to school at Lewis and Clark State College where he received his certificate in appliance repair. Melvin then opened his own business, Appliance Specialists of Moscow, ID where he worked until he retired around 2007. Melvin loved leather working, horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. He was a perfectionist and took pride in everything he did, especially his carpentry work. He built the kitchen cabinets, a rolltop desk, and China hutch for his home in Moscow, ID with walnut wood he gathered from lumber yards across the Northwest. He also built the cabinets for both bathrooms. Melvin designed and built the living room addition, as well as the Deary, ID homestead barn, stables, and pump house.

In 2003, Melvin finally got his promised horse which he named “Killer” along with a horse for Betty named “Brandy.” He purchased a hand tooled custom built dream saddle which remains on display in his den. The couple enjoyed many trail rides together in the Deary, ID area.

Melvin was proceeded in death by his parents and twin brother Kelvin. He is survived by his wife Betty at the family home, son Brad Byers (Tracy Skaer), daughter Sherri Byers, son Rodney Byers (Penny), granddaughter Tasha Gerlitz, sister Judy Enger (Linn), and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial services and reception will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the Avon Community Church (a.k.a. Avon Busy Bee Clubhouse) followed by a gravesite service at the Avon cemetery.

The family suggests donations be made to the Avon Busy Bee Club c/o Shelly Cannon 1242 Hwy 9 Deary, ID 83823.