John Hugh Byrne, our beloved father and grandfather, passed away suddenly, Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026. He was at RiverBend hospital recovering from back surgery three days earlier. John lived an active life of 97 years, five months and 23 days.

John was born September 26, 1928 in Cowles, Nebraska to John Hugh Byrne (1880-1971) and Millie Judith Edna (Marsh) Byrne (1890-1974). He was the eighth of eight children.

John was raised on his parent’s farm near Red Cloud, Nebraska during the Great Depression. As a boy, John developed a lifelong interest in how machinery worked and could build or repair just about anything needed on the farm. He graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1947, lettering in boxing.

John honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953. Upon leaving the Army he returned to Nebraska to continue farming with his brother Jerald. The summer of 1953 was particularly hot and destroyed their crops, so he made the difficult decision to enroll in electronics school in Omaha, Nebraska. John met his wife-to-be, Doris Anne Kilworth, while attending a dance at the Music Box in Omaha in the summer of 1954. They were married May 14, 1955 in Omaha and set out to start a new life in Eugene, Oregon.

After arriving in Eugene, John quickly landed a job repairing electronic devices - specifically the exciting new home technology of televisions. In 1961, John formed a business and created C&B Electric which sold electronics, home appliances and eventually, furniture. He successfully owned and operated "C&B" in Springfield, Oregon for the next 38 years, retiring in 1999.

John and Doris raised five children after settling in Oregon. For fun, John and Doris square-danced with the Daisy Chainers and were members of the Eagles and Elks. He traveled extensively with Doris through Europe. The family skied at HooDoo ski area in the 1970’s and made annual skiing trips to Lake Tahoe with Doris’s brothers and their wives in the 80’s and 90’s. John was late-to-the-party, but became an Oregon Duck football fan after receiving season tickets from family friend Oreta Wheeler in the early 1990’s.

In 1971, John started building wood furniture in his garage and over the next 50+ years created hundreds of beautiful pieces scattered across the country to family and friends. John was a proud Democrat and especially admired Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt for their courageous works during the Great Depression and World War II. He went skydiving twice, the last time on his 93rd birthday.

John loved jokes and funny stories. His mother once bought his dad a pair of pants which somehow got stolen. She placed an ad in the Red Cloud newspaper asking the perpetrator to return the pants - no questions asked! The embarrassment this brought to John’s dad, made our dad laugh to the point of nearly hyperventilating.

John was the most persistent person we knew, doggedly researching or trying new ways until he solved a problem. He was always busy building, fixing and assisting people with their mechanical and electrical problems. He had a unique passion and energy for life and was a curious, life-long learner. We'd often hear him saying "Hey Siri". He was a devout, practicing Catholic. His passing leaves a huge void in our lives but he will be most remembered and cherished for his radiant kindness and cheerful goodness.

John was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Doris, both parents, his infant daughter Nancy, four brothers; Clement (Berniece), Jerald (Pearl), Donald (Isla) and Tony (Wanda) and three sisters; Berniece (Roger), Mary (Bob) and Adeline (Jim) and two brother-in-laws; Darrell (Vi) and Walt (Nadine) Kilworth.

John is survived by his five children, Steve Byrne (Denise Bray), Sue (George) Doorly, Greg (Susie) Byrne, Julie (Greg) Mackintosh and Patrick Byrne (Amy Tuttle); grandchildren Stephanie Doorly (Colin Lince), Nicole Doorly (Joe Turic), Andrus (Josh) Thompson, Henry Alonzo Harper, Grant Mackintosh (Caprice Macri) and Emma Mackintosh (Hayden Long); great-grandchildren Ethan and Claire Turic and Theodore Hugh Thompson as well as many nieces and nephews.

His funeral service is Tuesday, April 7, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 1201 Satre Street in Eugene. A luncheon will follow at the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Willamette Valley Oregon Honor Flight PO BOX 72150, Springfield, OR 97475 - swvhonorflight.org