Byron Ernest Gammage's Obituary
Byron Ernest Gammage, of Dallas, TX, passed away at his home on April 26 after fighting valiantly against Parkinson’s disease for almost a decade. He never let that disease, or the polio he contracted as a toddler, define him. Instead, he will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was 83. Byron was born on March 5, 1933, in Memphis, TX, the 10th of 12 children to Will Emro and Attice Gammage. He grew up in Plainview and attended West Texas State University in Canyon, earning his MBA. He started as an accountant at Collins Radio in Richardson in 1959, and he retired in 1993 as Vice President of Career Development for Alcatel. Byron’s greatest joy was music. He was a soloist for 30 years at the First Christian Science Church of Garland. He also performed in several musicals and orchestrated family singalongs. He enjoyed golfing, dancing, playing dominoes and attending his annual family reunion. Survivors include daughters: Karen Hanie of Forney, Stefani Kopenec of North Richland Hills, and Meredith Turnbow of Highland Village; sons-in-law Robert Hanie; Rich Kopenec and Jody Turnbow; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two brothers, two sisters, best friend, Bill Smith; and former wife and friend Judie Gammage. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, followed by a reception. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park. 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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