John Raleigh Bybee

Today we attended my Grandpa Bybee's funeral (my Dad's dad). He was one of the most amazing, loving men I knew. I always remember my Grandpa going and going, when I was young he stayed with us while he helped my Dad build our house in Cache Valley. Every morning my Grandpa would get up hours before the sun rose and walk around the neighborhood picking up garbage and any other treasures he could find. He was always so productive! I thought he was so smart because he could name every bone in my body as he pointed each one out to me, he was so fun.
About 10 or so years ago he suffered a stroke. It was so hard to see the physical limitations caused by his stroke. Since then his health has slowly declined but he and his wife continued to make an effort to rehabilitate his body. Last Saturday April 25 he suffered a heart attack. His health quickly declined as he was also suffering from an infection in his blood, failing kidneys and prostate cancer that had spread throughout his body. He passed away Thursday (at the age of 84, one day before his and Grandma's 63 wedding anniversary) evening around 6:30pm in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife and children. I will miss grandpa so much but I am so happy that he is no longer captive to his mortal body. He will be a great missionary in the Spirit World!
Over Spring Break Dan, the kids and I went to visit Grandpa and Grandma in Salt Lake. It was really nice to catch up with them since we hadn't seen them for a while. We were able to get a few great pictures of the kids with Grandpa! I am so thankful that we went for the visit and will always cherish that time.

John Raleigh Bybee 1924 - 2009

John Raleigh Bybee, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, passed away at age 84 on April 30, at home from natural causes.
John was born September 10th, 1924, in Trenton, Utah, to Frank Arthur and Eva Campbell Bybee. He married the love of his life, his "Star", Elner VaLois Roderick on May 1, 1946, in the Salt Lake Temple.
John served in the Armed Forces as a medic during WWII and was an officer in the Army Air Corps. He earned five medals for his service. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings his entire life, including two missions. He loved working with his hands and was a perfectionist in his creations and repairs. His greatest love was teaching, both in and out of the church, working as a Seminary Teacher and a High School Science teacher. A life-long leaner, he earned a PhD degree from Ohio State University in Science Education. John also loved the out­-of-doors, fishing and hunting and spent many happy hours with family and friends in the mountains.
He is survived by his wife, VaLois, his sister, Amy Hymas (Leo), brothers, Walter (Alice), Eugene (Marge, deceased), Larry (Connie), Children: Stephen (Caroll), Charlene Wall (Robin), daughter-in-law Lisa (Mark, deceased, wife Monica, deceased), Michael (Karen), MaryAnn Clausen (Tom), Jack (Terry), daughter-in-law Merrilynn (Delvan, deceased), and 39 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Doctors, nurses and aids at Alta View Hospital and Sunbrook Hospice Services for their tender care of John during his brief illness preceding his death.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 4, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Butler West Stake Center, 1845 East 7200 South. Friends may call at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd. (7600 S.) Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the day of the service at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah. Online condolences may be left at www.cannonmortuary.com.