James Byorth

Dates

Obituary

James Paul Byorth, devoted Catholic, son, brother, uncle, and husband departed this world on Friday, July 8, 2022, and commended his spirit into the hands of the Lord at the tender age of 90. Visitation will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 21, followed by Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 243 W Argonne Dr., St. Louis, MO 63122. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell on Thursday, July 28, at 10:30 AM.

Paul was born the oldest child to Euphemia (Bellis) and Floyd Paul Byorth on October 9, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota. Paul was joined by two baby brothers, Patrick and Robert, who were each two years apart. The Byorth Boys attended Notre Dame Academy and Holy Family Church, where they could be seen just as easily blocking on the offensive line as serving Mass together. The family was rounded out when the boys welcomed sister Catherine Mary into the family in 1944.

Paul’s father was a traveling hardware salesman who was often on the road. Upon his weekly return, the boys eagerly waited for Floyd to take them hunting, fishing and camping. Not only would Paul be a keen outdoorsman well into his 60s thanks to his father, but he was also handy like him with hardware, tools and carpentry.

Paul graduated from Notre Dame in 1949 and went to Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Brothers Pat and Bob would join him there and they became known as the “Triple Threat” on the football field. By the time Paul graduated in 1952, he had chosen his path to becoming a priest. He was ordained June 2, 1957, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and presided over his first Mass at his hometown parish of Holy Family the next day.

Devotion to God and the Catholic Church was central to Paul’s life. He served several parishes in South Dakota over a 28-year-period, tending not only his flock and nurturing the bonds of friendship with parishioners but also repairing the old rectories where he lived. At one point, his bishop cut off his credit at the lumberyard due his extensive renovations. Paul likened being a priest to a counselor upon whose shoulders rested his parishioners’ troubles. Ever the strong shouldered, Paul helped his people navigate life’s challenges.

Paul found respite while visiting his brother Pat in Montana, where he would lead his nieces and nephews on hikes and fishing trips. “Father Uncle Paul” always rounded out their adventures by saying Mass over the dining table. Paul also enjoyed fixing up Pat’s cabin on the Stillwater River, shedding the collar for a pair of work gloves such that he could return to his parish ready to serve them with renewed energy.

In 1985, Paul recognized that he had accomplished that which he set out to do as a priest and chose to be laicized. Even so, he continued his close connection with his former parishioners and the Church and maintained his deep commitment to his faith. While living in St. Louis, Missouri, Paul met a stunning woman named Jeanne Schneider who shared his love of Christ and the Church. Paul and Jeanne took the sacrament of marriage in September 1993.

Paul and Jeanne lived for a time in Kelso, Washington, where Paul worked as a social worker in foster-care services. After his retirement, the couple returned to Jeanne’s hometown, where they became active at St. Peter’s in Kirkwood. Paul dutifully sang in the choir, served as a layperson and began publishing a weekly annotation for the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. Paul also maintained his role as counselor, supporting many parish and community social programs for those in various forms of recovery. To say that Paul touched thousands of lives in his long life is an understatement.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Euphemia and Floyd; brothers Pat and Bob; sister Catherine; sister-in-law Ann and her daughter Therese; and he is now survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jeanne Rhodes Schneider Byorth, her nine children, 23 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren with 2 on the way; sister-in-law Mary Kay (Patrick) and her 10 children and 24 grandchildren; and sister-in-law Janice (Robert) and her 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation(s)

Service

Cemetery