Obituary for Byron Austin Linden A grand storyteller, Bryon Austin Linden, 96, passed away in peace on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Pioneers Medical Center. Recently preceded in death by the beautiful love of his life, Josephine (Rodriguez) and his grandson Luke Austin Meakins. Bryon was born in Meeker on January 24, 1922 to Ralph Bryon Linden and his wife Thelma Frances Fairfield, a first cousin to Freeman E. Fairfield.
At the age of six, he, his parents and two sisters, Audatheo and Phyllis moved to Long Beach, California. Bryon graduated from Long Beach High School in 1939. During the summers of his high school years and after graduating he returned to Meeker to help his grandparents, William and Kitty Fairfield on the mesa ranch.
After his grandfather unexpectedly died, Byron went to work for Authur Amick. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1942 and served for three years and four months. He was stationed at the Section Base in Monterey, California where he met his future wife, Jo, at the USO.
They were married July 9, 1943 after which Byron was shipped overseas in the Pacific for the duration of the war. After completing his service, he returned state side and worked at the motor pool at Fort Ord. Bryon and Jo then returned to Meeker and purchased the mesa farm from is widowed grandmother.
Together they made a house into a home by adding electricity, indoor plumbing and heating. Byron continued to put his blood, sweat and tears into creating and cultivating a successful thriving farm. He was a damn good farmer!
Bryon was a man of innovation and determination. He continually worked to improve his practice of farming, creating and etching out a living, developing the land into a paradise full of numerous bounties which could be seen through his thriving dairy business. He had one of the first sprinkler irrigated farms in the area and raised unconventional crops such as corn, cowpeas, triticale to improve milk production.
Along with his wife, daughters, Jody and Mary, nephews Rick, Byron and Kirk as well as various young men and families from Meeker, he built his successful farm. These bounties came in steadfast traditions, work ethic surpassed by none to leaving behind a legacy of grit, honesty and courage that will be passed down through the generations to follow. After an early “retirement” from the dairy business, Jo and Byron traveled to nearly every state creating everlasting memories with friends.
They retired to sunny Palm Springs, California, finally returning to their native Meeker, Colorado to live out their golden years. And to you Byron Austin, father, grandfather, great-grandfather we will bid you a grand fair well. Thank you for the lessons, showing us how to do it right the first time, and for always entertaining us, when we thought we were entertaining you.
Loved ones that will miss this grand storyteller, this giant of a man who we are sure is turning his beloved wife around the dancefloor until we meet him again include his daughters Jody Meakins and Mary Elliott. His granddaughters Melissa Meakins, Molly Elliott, Rita Elliott Mingle, and Sally Elliott. His great-grandchildren Colton Cheese, Kylee Cheese, Autumn McDermott, and Addalyn “Stretch” Mingle.
In addition to his nephews, nieces, and friends that have become family. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Highland Cemetery. For information on how to send flowers, please contact the funeral home To send a memorial gift to the family of Byron Austin Linden please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Highland Cemetery 265 County Road 4 Meeker, CO, 81641 , Previous Events graveside services , AUG 5.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
