Byron Lee Kesler

Byron Lee Kesler was born on January 10, 1953, in Oakland, California. He was the youngest of four children born to Milton and Yvonne Kesler.

Those who knew Byron well, use these types of terms to describe him: steady, even-keeled, quiet, thoughtful, honest, quick but dry sense of humor, a man of his word, humble, responsible, patient. He generally flew below the radar, preferring to stay in the background.

Byron attended Armona Union Academy for 10 years and graduated in 1971. During his high school years, he held positions of Sergeant–at-Arms, Treasurer of the Boy’s Club, President of the Tumbling Team, Feature Writer for the yearbook, and Vice-President of his graduating class.

In his early years, especially in the summers, he drove trucks for local farmers, worked in Kings Canyon, hiked, and spent time with friends traveling and exploring. Among other hobbies, he was an artist preferring water color and pencils, and was always tinkering with cars his brother and he would buy, fix up, and resell. He learned trades from his father, mainly welding and machinery, and they built a Mini Cooper together,

He received a BA in Fine Arts and Drafting as his “profession,” but in reality, he did just about everything he was tasked to do, doing it with thoughtfulness and precision.

In 1982 he traveled to Majuro as a Student Missionary and taught some classes. He also served as a draftsman as an Interdivisional employee for both the Guam-Micronesia Mission of SDA and the General Conference of SDA from 1986-1988.

After he left Micronesia, he settled in Volcano, Hawaii, where he worked as a draftsman for a civil engineer, and later became site

manager, chief cook and bottle washer for My Island Bed & Breakfast. He married Kii Morse in 2009.

Byron was predeceased by his parents. He leaves behind his immediate family of wife Kii Morse, brother Mervin (Nancy) Kesler, and sisters Regina (Garry) Sevel and Joyce (Edward) Jacobs,

He will be sorely missed, but his quiet memory of “Byron” will remain in our memories.

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