Joe’s Obituary Calvin Joe Byrum, age 91, of Raytown, MO, passed away Friday evening, March 22, 2019, at the Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton. He was born on November 20, 1927, the eighth of ten children born to Arley and Beulah (Breshears) Byrum. He grew up in the Fristoe and Warsaw communities and worked for Raymond Wisdom on his farm near Fristoe.
Later he was employed by Bishop Gunstock in Warsaw. Joe would always say that on a snowy day in 1953, he was lucky enough to marry the greatest girl in the world. Joe and Mary Jane Boring were united in marriage on April 18, 1953 and bought a farm near Whitakerville, MO which they still own today.
On October 18, 1954, Joe was inducted into the United States Army and served 19 months in Germany as a cook. He was honorably discharged on October 6, 1956 and was glad to return home to his darling wife. They moved to Raytown, MO and Joe began his employment with Bendix until his retirement in 1992 after 38 years of service.
He enjoyed horses and the time he worked the rodeo at Benjamin Stables for 22 years. Joe was a devoted husband and he and Mary Jane was inseparable. They were always together and although they had no children of their own, their nieces and nephews, were their children whom they loved.
They were always supportive and there for them. Joe was faithful to his God and his church. He was a member of the Evangel Church for over 50 years, serving as Head usher for many years as well as on the greeting team.
He assisted in the transportation ministry and was a weekly participant in the ACTS class. He was a part of the Prime Timers and the 55+ programs at church. He took great pride in his yard and was a #1 landscaper and yard beautification doer.
He could be called the “Mayor of his neighborhood”, always helping and assisting neighbors whenever needed. He loved his Cross Timbers connection group who met often and stayed in touch with the Hickory and Benton county happenings. He was good at doing puzzles and word search games and his mind was sharp right up to his time of passing.
Joe was the last of ten siblings and was preceded in death by Thelma, Sam, Rass, Jack, Pete, Ruth, Dale, Verna and a stillborn brother. Surviving is his wife of almost 66 years, Mary Jane Byrum of the home, and his many nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, his wonderful neighbors, church family and friends. Funeral services for Joe Byrum will be at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw, MO.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M., Friday, prior to services at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be at Riverside Cemetery, Warsaw, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Riverside Cemetery or the Warsaw High School Alumni Scholarship Fund in care of the Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw, MO.
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