Captain Kellie S. Byerly
Captain Kellie S. Byerly, USN (Ret), 78, passed away on February 25, 2018. Captain Byerly was born in Danville, Illinois on October 19, 1939. He began his prestigious twenty-seven-year Naval career in Long Beach, California. Captain Byerly served in numerous managerial positions on the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32) and as Chief Engineer of the USS Decatur (DDG-31). Captain Bylery later worked as a Professor of Naval Science at the State University of New York Maritime College. Captain Byerly held commands as: Executive Officer of the guided missile destroyers USS Hoel (DDG-13) and USS Robinson (DDG-12). He later served as Commodore of Task Force Sixty-Three in Naples, Italy. Captain Byerly concluded his Naval career as Senior Inspector for the Propulsion Examination Board in San Diego, California. The Navy recognized Captain Byerly’s distinguished service by the award of the highly prestigious Legion of Merit.
Following his retirement from the United States Navy, Captain Byerly worked supervising operations in power plants around the world. He was hired by Stewart and Stevenson, an independent power company based in Houston, as Vice President of Operations for the company’s Western region. He later served with General Electric as Vice President of the Central American and Western United States regions. Captain Byerly concluded his career with the Calpine Corporation, as Vice President of Operations for the company’s Central Region.
Captain Byerly is married to Deborah L. Byerly who he met in Bremerton, Washington while his ship, the USS Robinson (DDG-12) was undergoing an overhaul. After retiring from the Navy, Captain and Mrs. Byerly became residents of Nassau Bay, Texas in 1991 and have enjoyed being surrounded by many friends as part of this wonderful and caring community, as well as their NASA Johnson Space Center family, where Mrs. Byerly has worked for over 25 years.
Kellie loved his ranch, his animals, and his many friends. He embraced life with tremendous energy and joy, and a legendary sense of humor. He was unfailingly strong, always kind, and was blessed with a keen mind and indefatigable spirit.
He courageously faced down his health issues with incredible grace and maintained his good humor throughout. He taught us all a lesson in unparalleled courage. Debbie felt blessed to have made this journey by his side.
Kellie is survived by his loving wife Debbie, his nephew Don Bosco and his wife JaNell and their family, and brother-in-law Jim Hoffman and his wife Kris of Seattle, Washington.
Memorial Services for Captain Byerly will be held on Thursday, March 8th at 5:00 PM at Nassau Bay Baptist Church, 18131 Nassau Bay Drive, Houston, Texas 77058. 281-333-3844
In lieu of flowers the family has set up a scholarship fund.
Captain Kellie Byerly Scholarship
Salt Fork High School
C/O FFA
701 West Vermilion
Catlin, IL 61817
Deb-
2 things I will always remember about you: your smile and the glowing words you always gave your hubby!
May God’s peace be with you in this moment of sorrow.
tom
Dear Debbie my condolences go out to you and your family during this transitional period. As difficult as it may be to no longer be with our dearly beloved and devoted loved ones we know that they are in a far better place with a GOD whom will ensure them eternity. May GOD continue to bless you and keep you during this difficult time. Time and only time will ease the transition for those left behind until you all meet again in that wonderful blessed place we call Heaven.
May GOD continue to Bless you and your family!
With deepest sympathy,
Arnold Baldwin (A.B.)
NASA JSC
Sorry to learn of the passing of Captain Kellie S. Byerly. Our prayers are with his beautiful wife, Deborah Byerly and family.
I will share a few bible verses with the intention of bringing comfort and strength during this time.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 — Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (KJV)
Proverbs 14:32 “When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.” (NIV)
Debbie,
Our hearts are with you, as they have been for all these years with both of you. Bob and I truly are sister and brother to you and dear Kellie. I’m thinking of times when Kellie would tell a crazy story, and we all would laugh so hard it hurt. And I’m seeing the love each of you had on your face when the other half wasn’t aware of it — beautiful. There is no doubt that you two are soulmates. There is no doubt about eternity. The good times there will far surpass our joy in this life, this “dress rehearsal” for the real thing. We’ll walk with you day by day, with love, my sister. Take my hand. 🙂
Becca
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Debbie, in the loss of your life partner. We were blessed to spend many happy hours with both of you. We appreciate his many years of dedicated service to our country. He was an incredible man who loved you dearly.
We only knew Captain Byerly a few short years, but I learned to respect him and his wife Debra. I always looked forward to his humor and her smiling face. We want you to know that we are thinking of you and praying for our great God’s comfort ,strength, and peace for you . We love you both !
Long sad journey is over, peace be with you. I see why you loved him so much.
My sincere condolences to you and your Family.
May God be with you always.
Debbie – My deepest condolences on your loss. I never met your husband, but I can see why you were with him. May your memories provide comfort at this tough time.
Although I have intended to get in touch with you for quite some time, Debbie, I hoped that it would be under different circumstances. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved life partner and hope that your current overwhelming sorrow will soon turn into fond memories. I would prefer to deliver my condolences in person, but since I have retired to a mountain in North Carolina, this message will have to suffice. My thoughts are with you.
Warmly,
Marianne
Debbie, I am so very sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Please accept my most sincere sympathy and know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I didn’t know you Captain , but I wanted to thank you for your service to our country.
Anchors away Sir,
David Treherne, USMC
Deb-
Please accept Mary and my deepest sympathies and condolences. I will always remember Kellie for his strength of character, good naturedness, kindness, and humorous quips. Kellie brightened-up the room whenever he walked in and mentored me in many ways. I will miss him dearly.
Dear Debbie,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts.
Art
Sorry for your loss Debbie. I didn’t get a chance to meet Kellie, but appreciate his service to our country and his “loves” that speak highly of his character and what a tremendous person he was. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Debbie, we are so heart broken to hear about Kellie. I loved all his sea stories as they were interesting and entertaining. He was so lucky to have you there by his side for all those years. Please let us know if there is anything at all that we can do to help you. Charlie Young
Debbie,I and so sorry to hear the sad news about Kellie, he was a real fighter and will be miss, I and sending prayers, hugs and please know I am sharing in Your sadness. Miss and love you sista!
Very sorry to get this news. Margaret and I tender our condolences
Dearest Debbie, I was so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. You have my deepest sympathy. I feel your pain and sadness. Captain Kellie Byerly was a great man and a good man. He fought a good fight of faith. Although I had only known Kellie for a few years, I know that he loved seeing you happy. You will see each other again. Love, prayers, and blessings to you and your family.
So sorry to just be discovering this. I served under the command of Capt. Byerly aboard USS Robison (DDG-12) during the first half of the ship’s regular overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA in 1981. He showed a genuine concern for those under his command and a sense of connectedness with his direct involvement with the ship’s sport teams. Capt. Byerly inspired me to further my career. After my release from active duty I did remain in the Naval Reserve and eventually returned to active duty as a commissioned officer.
My belated condolences to all the Captain’s family and friends.
Stan A. Young, LCDR,NC,USNR (ret.)
DEBBIE,
Was just informed via Capt Keith Evans , DESTech Class 29, that Kelly passed away almost a year ago.
Sorry for your loss (& Our loss)-
Tom Sego CDR/USN (Ret)
desTech Class 29
In Kelly’s Class!
CORONADO, Ca
(619)972-5932
Please Call when you get this, AS I’m not sure if information this old would get to You
I was deeply saddened to discover today that yet another of my beloved shipmates passed away. Although I was not his peer in that I was a junior enlisted, Executive Officer KELLIE S. BYERLY, than Lt. Commander in 1976 was the best Executive Officer I ever had the privilege of serving under on board the USS HOEL DDG-13! (My only ship of 38 months.) Executive Officer KELLIE S. BYERLY was such a fresh breath of air after replacing our former tyrant Executive Officer. Executive Officer BYERLY was also immensely popular, respected, admired and beloved without exception by the entire crew. He was also a perfect match along with our equally new beloved Commanding officer CDR MILTON JACKSON, JR. Executive Officer KELLIE S. BYERLY personally came to bat for me more than once!!! Thanks to Executive Officer KELLIE S. BYERLY and our mutually immensely popular, respected and admired Commanding Officer Commander Jackson, 1976 was easily the best (and last) year out of my 38 months that I served on aboard the USS HOEL DDG-13. The crew morale only soared from the bottom to the top during his time on board. It was an immense honor to have known and served under Executive Officer KELLIE S. BYERLY! I was elated but not surprised to see that he retired as a full Captain! I will never forget the compassion and empathy that he had for his crew!
Fair Winds and Following Seas Faithful Sailor.
Very Sincerely,
Rob Smith
HT2 (E-5)
USS HOEL DDG-13
1973-76
Eugene, OR
I just saw this today and was deeply saddened by the news. I was aboard the USS Robison DDG 12 when she was in the shipyard at Bremerton Washington. I left the Robison in 1982. My Wife and I had the honor of sitting with you and Capt. Byerly for the ships party after we got back to San Diego. We also had lunch with you both at Cheys Resturant in National City while I was on leave from Germany. My wife passed away in 2011 from alzhiemers, she always talked about you and the Captain. I also retired to Fort Worth TX. It was a great honor for me to serve with him and I will look forward to serving with him again on the other side.
Respctfully
Larry J Field
BMCM USN Retired
Debbie,
I don’t know if you remember me, but we were fellow Nassau Bay folks, and Kellie and I worked at S&S together in the 90’s. We visited a few times, and I was always thankful for Kellie’s sound advice, backed by you enormous energy and so obvious, deep love for your husband. I surely wish the world could be filled with people like Kellie, but I think he was just one of a kind.
With love,
Drew