Funeral services for Theodore "Ray" Byre age 96 of rural Glenham will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church rural Selby. Burial will be in the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 3, 2015 beginning at 3:00 PM with a prayer services at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Ray passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.

On March 10, 1919, a son, Theodore Raymond (Ray), was born to Sever and Inga (Odlund) Byre at Selby, South Dakota.

Ray grew up on the family farm and attended "country school" at the Lindbergh School graduating from the 8th grade. He then began helping his father on the family farm.

While playing accordion for a dance in Mobridge, Ray met Evis Merkel and they began dating. March 10, 1942 Ray was drafted into the military service. In October 1943 while Ray was home on furlough Ray asked Evis to accompany him back to Wilmington, Delaware and marry him. They were married at Delaware City, Delaware November 3, 1943.

After about four months of married life Ray received orders for maneuvers in Louisiana at which time Evis returned home to live with her folks. A daughter, Roberta Lee was born to them November 2, 1944. When Ray returned from the service in November 1945 the couple moved to Selby and rented an apartment. In 1948 Ray and Evis moved to the Sever and Inga Byre family homestead in Blue Blanket community and took over farming.

A son Bobby Ray joined the family December 21, 1953 and then another son Gary Jay was born January 3, 1957 to make their family complete.

Ray and Evis enjoyed visiting with their special neighbors, Hupy & Virgie Stulken and Martin & Marcy Norby, as well as playing cards with Eldon Merkel's, Bob Merkel's and Hupy Stulken's. They enjoyed traveling with special nephew and cousin, John and Eileen Holder. They also enjoyed taking their family pheasant hunting and on fishing outings.

Ray loved being with his family and especially enjoyed his grandchildren (Rebecca, Ryan and Rayette Casey, Cullen, Tony and Christopher Byre) and great grand children (Sebastian and Alicia Casey, Jameson Fujihara, Nolan, Trenton and Olivia Curtis, Dallas, Taylor, Brady and Vivianna Byre, Katie, Paityn and Brexten Fredricks.)

Ray was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church and was a longtime member of Bethany Church, holding various church council positions. He also served on the Lindbergh School Board. Ray lived most of his 96+ years on the family farm.

Ray was called to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at Mobridge Community Hospital in Mobridge, South Dakota. Thankful for having shared his life are daughter Roberta Casey, sons; Bob (Marlys) and Gary (Ann) Byre, his six grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evis in 2010, his parents (Sever and Inga Byre), his sister and brothers Anna Holder, Joe Byre, Elmer Byre, Oscar T. Byre (in infancy), Oscar H. Byre and Sidney Byre.