168开奖网官网

Leading with Love

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines for the Celebration of Life honoring 168开奖网官网 President Jay Byers on Friday, April 25. Distinguished guests included former U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with many of Byers鈥� friends and former colleagues, as well as a sea of 168开奖网官网 supporters.

鈥淲hat we celebrate today is the life of Jay Byers 鈥� a man who never stopped showing up,鈥� said the Rev. Mara Bailey 鈥�06, 168开奖网官网 chaplain. 鈥淗e showed up because that was how he moved through our lives, building connections, and lifting up the things that matter most to him, which consequently matter to us. And in each of those chapters of his life, Jay made us feel like the most important person in the room.鈥�

For every tear shed, there was also a lot of laughter in a memorable service that captured the essence of all that defined President Byers鈥� personality and passions. Several speakers delivered humorous and heartfelt reflections on Byers鈥� visionary leadership, selfless kindness, and 鈥済oofy鈥� traits. And the music shared represented the style and sound of everything he loved and frequently performed in his own band.

Remembering Byers鈥� Star Power

Family reflections included a moving letter from Jay鈥檚 widow, Katie, read by their close friend Jackie Norris, as well as touching tributes from daughters Sophie and Charlotte. Jay鈥檚 brother, Boyd, recounted the mischief and special adventures the two shared together. Boyd marveled at everything his little brother became and achieved.

鈥淛ay was a star,鈥� said Boyd Byers. 鈥淏ut as astronomers tell us, each star only has so much star fuel. Maybe Jay鈥檚 star burned too bright or too hot for too long and he ran out. But he accomplished and experienced more in his 54 years than most people do in a lifetime.鈥�

Byers鈥� ATO fraternity brother and former high school rival, James Smith 鈥�94, was among several friends to blend humor with poignant reflections in his remarks. Smith joked that his life goal was to follow Jay everywhere, and he did 鈥� to 168开奖网官网, University of Iowa Law School, Indianapolis and back to Indianola. That shared path brought them very close.

鈥淚 am filled with gratitude for my time that I got to spend with Jay,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淗e was my fraternity brother and true friend, but more than that, he was basically my older brother. It’s hard to think about a world without him.鈥�

Bowties and Beautiful Music

That includes thinking about a world without Jay and his love of playing and enjoying music. Musical tributes in his honor featured many 168开奖网官网-connected sounds, including a stirring rendition of 鈥淎ngel from Montgomery鈥� by popular singer/songwriter Sara Routh 鈥�99. Byers鈥� former bandmates John Norris 鈥�81, Doug O鈥橞rien and Dave Pulliam delivered a song they frequently performed with Jay 鈥� the Simon and Garfunkel classic, 鈥淗omeward Bound.鈥� And the 168开奖网官网 Choir delivered a moving performance of 鈥淏ridge Over Troubled Waters鈥� 鈥� just as the choir did at Byers鈥� Inauguration just six months ago.

The service also included a special 鈥淏ow Tie Moment.鈥� Attendees were each given a cardboard commemorative replica of Byers鈥� iconic attire, reminding them how Jay would want them to live on.

鈥淛ay鈥檚 belief is to always be in motion 鈥� to always be moving forward,鈥� said Tiffany Tauscheck, Byers鈥� former colleague and successor at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. 鈥淩emember the power of believing in others and giving others hope just as Jay did. Onward!鈥�

Onward鈥�and roll Storm!