People with Disabilities

People with Disabilities

I was recently asked what my background of working with people with disabilities.  I had an answer and shared various experiences.  Upon further reflection, though, I better understand my philosophy of "working with people with disabilities".

1. People are people.
2. People want connection to others.
3. Everyone has varying degrees of abilities and disabilities.  Some of the disabilities are federally recognized as needing special accommodations and some are ones that we have to figure out on our own.

If I take time to truly connect with another, I can learn to understand the other person.  I can learn how the other person accommodates their own disabilities.  I can share my own special needs. I can make a connection with another.  I can be a person.  I can be me.

Bobby Lee Byars, Jr. (8/24/1950 - 11/8/2012)

My Arizona Dad passed away on November 8, 2012.  This is the obituary that I had the honor to write for the newspaper notice. Thank you, Mom, Rae, Bobbie, & David for your input and edits. -gmh

Bobby Lee Byars, Jr., was born on August 24, 1950 in Wickenburg Arizona. He lived 22,723 days full of adventure. There wasn't much he didn't do.  He was a cowboy, paratrooper, lumberjack, construction worker, musician, truck driver, short order cook, warehouse worker, ferrier, pigeon wrangler, sawmill worker, exercise jockey/horse trainer, bull rider, forklift operator, pool shark, fisherman, taxi driver, actor, comedian, tour bus driver, landscaper, politician, community minister, humanitarian, artist, theologian, court clerk, coach, counselor,  adventurer, encourager, real estate salesman, visionary, believer, chaplain, story teller, shuttle driver, student of everything that he found interesting, gardener, scholar of life, deputy registrar, poll worker, philosopher, singer-song writer, child of God, dad, husband, grandpa, brother, son, and friend.

He was generous and compassionate.  Bobby loved people.  He never met a stranger and he never forgot a friend.  His heart was big enough to welcome anyone, and accept everyone. He didn't have much, because he didn't need much.  When he was given anything, he would promptly find someone who needed it more.  He was truly a public servant and genuinely wanted people to be happy. He inspired others to follow their passion and live life to the fullest. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

This amazing man will be missed by his Dad, Step-dad, Wife, 3 Brothers, 4 Children, 5 Grandchildren, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and 6 billion wonderful friends.

Memorial Services are as follows:
Viewing:                  
Saturday: 5-7pm. at Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary (4th St),
Sunday: 1-2pm. at Lamb of God Bible Church 2615 E7th. Ave

Funeral service:        
Sunday 2pm. at Lamb of God Bible Church

Graveside service:    
Monday 1pm. (with military honors) at Citizens' Cemetery.

*Donations to help cover costs incurred from his passing can be made to Arizona State Credit Union with "Bobby Byars" in the memo line.