Jacob Allen Byrne

Jacob Allen Byrne, age 41, a resident of Grand Bay, AL, passed away November 8, 2022. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kaleb Wells and Luke Byrne; cousins, Jonathon and Gina; aunts and uncles, Jimmie Dale, Terry Bowling, Rick Wells, Beth Davies, and Gary Hensley; and grandparents, Ray Zummak, Chris Tchouban, and Lee and Fred (Red) Wells. He is survived by his son, Dyson Byrne; daughter, Jaslynn Byrne; mother, Laurie Wells (Ray); father, Mark Byrne; brothers, Zach Wells (Ali) and Nicholas Byrne (Madolyn); former wife, Jenofa Byrne; nephews, Henry and George and Nick (Madolyn) Byrne; aunts, Kay Byrne (Sherry Zabel), Dawn (Pat) Klotz, and Paula (Bryan) Rohling; uncles, Dave Tchouban, Leonard (Sheila) Wells, and Joel (Eva) Holler; great-aunts, Alice Pritchard, Mary Pasto, Arlean Pritchard, and Barb Zummak; great-uncles, Gaylas (Phyllis) Pritchard, Eldon Davis, and Joe (Joanie) Byrne; god-father, Ned Root; other relatives, and many friends. Jake was born in Minneapolis, MN to Mark Byrne and Laurie Tchouban Byrne Wells. Laurie divorced Mark Byrne and married Ray Wells and moved to Kingston in May 1983. Jake and his brothers grew up going to Kingston Redeemer Church where Jake was baptized and confirmed. Jake also participated in Christmas plays, church programs, etc. Jake’s backyard was the North Fork Crow River with his great friends and close cousins where they would jump from the Kingston bridge and stake claim to the island, then on to the woods in the bear hive. Jake graduated from Litchfield High where some of his close cousins attended also. Jake played football, wrestled, and also was a good student overall. In high school his talent was workshop. In his workshop class, he and his classmates repaired the Forrest City Stockade log fences. He built a full-size dresser, trunk, and other precious projects. Troy Schaaf (like family) gave Jake a job building houses, doing repairs, etc. He was also Jake’s mentor and friend until Jake's passing. Jake loved sports; he rooted for the MN Twins and bled purple. I’m sure Jake would tell us, “Don’t walk the plank. Don’t give up the Vikings ship.” Jake’s memories included bonfires, sleepovers, and concerts with Jed Cates such as Korn, Slip Knot, Limp Biscuits, Def Tones, and Oz Fest in Wisconsin where they would soul step to hip hop. Our family made trips to Grandpa and Grandma Zummak in Waterloo, Iowa. Dad signed the kids up for YMCA camp there where Dad was a retired maintenance engineer. We also traveled to the field of dreams and ran the bases. We took trips to Grandma and Grandpa Wells in Pueblo, Colorado where we toured Bishop’s Castle and hung out at the cabin in Beulah where Uncle Leonard and Aunt Sheila Wells still live today. We watched the gunfight at Buckskin Joe in Canon City and rode across the Royal Gorge and stood in the cage to the bottom of the Arkansas River. We visited Santa’s Workshop in Manitou Springs where Jake sat on the tallest ferris wheel. A few of us were nervous when Jake, at age 10, took a plane by himself to visit his Dad who was stationed in Sardina, Italy. When visiting his Uncle Johnny and Aunt Linda in Live Oak, Florida, Jake got to eat grilled gator. I thank Jenofa’s parents, Mike and Susan, for my very first crab boil. Jake enlisted in the Navy Seabees after high school. Then he married his precious bride, Jenofa, and in the time following came his children, Dyson and Jaslynn. He loved his fathership roll and celebrated with more bonfires. They took vacation trips to Disneyland, Mexico, and even went on a cruise, then back to Minnesota for ice fishing. While there they went tubing, visited the Mall of America, Valley Fair, open house gatherings at Kimball Legion and Kingston Community Center, and then back home. He volunteered at the VFW in Long Beach, MS to fry steaks with his Dad, as they were members. Jake was proud to be a retired Navy Seabee and so dedicated with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Africa, Europe, etc. Unfortunately, the marriage deployed also, and they co-parented well. Jake’s last unit was with NMCB 27 Navy Seabees and still wanted to go “out of the country” to work construction. Jake’s last employer was White Spunner who would set up hotels for him to stay in. Also special blessings to friends who welcomed Jake to stay with them. Service will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 3 PM. Officiant is Pastor Terry Taylor of Abundant Life Church and Chaplain is Jennifer Chaffee representing VFW Post 3937 and American Legion Post 1995 of Mississippi. Jake’s cousin, Molly Weyrens officiating with Honor Guard and Taps to follow in Minnesota. Honorary Urn Bearers are Zach Wells, Luke Lekander, Nick Byrne, Jed Cates, Dave Halonen, Kelli Schwartz, Michael Lindsay, James Lindsay, Ben Herr, Dusty Ellis, Tommy Bacon, Suzanne Herr, Taylor Cates, and Lonnie Ellis. Jake’s forever home will be in Minnesota at Camp Ripley 2023. Sorry, no flowers needed as "forget-me-nots" are growing in our hearts. Please accept Jake’s oBOOKtuary as our sincerest THANK YOU!! Your precious prayers, cards, calls, texts and the many caring deeds that have been shown to Jake’s families that will be felt for eternity. Blessings to Jake’s nieces, Madison Wells and Lauren Herr, for starting the hugs baskets. Working on plans for potluck with help from churches and the main course will be provided in Minnesota. GOD BLESS YOU!!! Anchors Away Save yourself or a loved one, call FAMHSA - Substance and Mental Health Service Administration at 1-800-662-4357 or dial 988 for the Emergency Suicide Hotline. Press 1 for veterans.

Tributes

Jacob Allen Byrne

November 26, 1980 - November 8, 2022