Byron B. Johnson Jr., 85, of Edgecomb died Oct. 18, 2019.

Born in Orange County in California and like his father, Byron was an engineer, and like his father, attended Cal Tech for his degree.

He was a former Edgecomb Planning director, a member of the regional planning group, and a member of the Odd Couples.

Byron and his wife, Jarryl Larson, along with members of the Bath UMC, went on a mission trip for three straight years to New Orleans following Katrina.

He passed along to the many children in his life an inspiration that led them to become role models for their families.

Besides his wife, Jarryl, he is survived by four biological children on the West Coast, Doug, Neal, Sue and Johanna, and his former wife, Charlotte. He is also survived by Delmar Hicks, Jarryl’s son, plus 10 refugees from five countries, including Nha and Hoa now living in Massachusetts, Nya and Ter Chambang of South Sudan, JC and Maguey living in Canada, Japanese students Kensuke, Rumika and K-happy-K, Leana of the Phillipines, and Nadesh of Haiti.

On Oct. 17, Byron was visited by his primary care doctor, Dr. Hunold. On Friday morning, Oct. 18, his wife sat in his wheelchair, watching him breathe when Hoa called from Singapore to let him know how much he loved Dad, how kind he was, and how Hoa used Byron as a model Dad to be for his children. When Jarryl told Byron the message, Byron smiled and then his breathing stopped. It was a beautiful ending to a remarkable life. Jarryl and Byron were best friends for 50 years, including 29 in marriage. Byron had saved Jarryl’s life and the life of her son.

It was a blessing to be home where Byron could receive family blessings and the kind kisses of his wife and the words from his children. Before Byron came home, he had begun to see a beautiful world and kept repeating to Jarryl, “You will see, you will see!”

Kensuke sent a birthday wish to Byron in 2019 stating that he, also, used the find father model of Byron for his own children.

On Oct. 23, Leana called Jarryl to tell her how inspired she had been for all the work Byron did for his town of Edgecomb, so she is now doing similar work for her town in the Phillipines.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Bath UMC. A second memorial service will be held at the UCC Edgecomb on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.