Jim Byers

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Floyd James Byers, 87, known to his friends and family as Jim “Big Daddy” Byers passed from this life on January 11, 2021, in Plano, Texas.

Jim was born on August 6, 1933, one-mile East of Osage, Oklahoma at the Byers farmhouse. He was the son of Floyd Que and Opal Byers. Jim grew up and attended school in Osage. At the age of 12, Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and was later baptized at Indian Station. On June 2, 1965, in Morisville, New York; he was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Roberts and to that union there is one daughter Rolinda. The couple traveled pretty extensively for many years as Jim was working in the pipeline industry. In 1951, Jim started with R.H. Fulton, later retiring in 1996 with Henkels & McCoy. During his 45-year career Jim worked for many companies including Fulton, Curran and Co. Williams Bros., Great Plains, Southeast, Burdon, Sheehan, Rivers, Cap-Con, Delta Gulf and many more. Jim worked as a laborer, operator, foreman and what he would also refer to as a “flunkey.”

Jim and Shirley traveled to nearly every state in the Union. Jim also traveled to Mexico working on jobs. The most memorable thing about his career as a pipeliner, “pipeliners are a different breed of cats. They help each other in times of need and always treat people like you would want to be treated.” Jim enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He planted huge crops of corn and turnips, among other things which he loved sharing with friends and neighbors. He loved animals and had a heart for stray dogs. Jim never met a stranger and could visit for hours. He loved catching up with his old pipeline buddies from all around the country every week by phone. He especially enjoyed attending the yearly pipeliner’s fish fry to see old friends. He spent the last few years living in Allen, Texas with his daughter’s family. Although he wasn’t fond of the “city life” he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, “Little Britches” and “Cowboy”. Jim is a perpetual member of the Cleveland Hebron Masonic Lodge #215 and 61 year member of the Operating Engineers #627 in Tulsa.

Survivors include his daughter Rolinda Dunlap and her husband Harm of Allen, Texas; two grandchildren Brianne and Caden Dunlap of Allen, Texas; brothers Gene Byers from Cleveland, Oklahoma, Jack and Pat Byers of Alexis, Illinois and sister and brother-in-law Betty and Gary Carpenter of Niceville, Florida. Jim is also survived by and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by parents Que and Opal Byers, wife Shirley, brothers Kenneth Byers, Fred Byers, sister-in-laws Carol Byers, Dorothy Byers and nephew Michael Carpenter.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Monday January 18, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Pastors David Head and Willis Morgan officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 pm till 6:00 pm Sunday at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Burial will be held in the Woodland Cemetery at Cleveland, Oklahoma. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Jim at www.chapman-black.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jim’s honor to a local food bank of your choice.

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