Bryon Scott Barnard's Obituary
Bryon Scott Barnard passed away July 17 from complications of Covid-19, leaving his family and friends stunned and heartbroken.
Bryon was born November 30, 1962, in Aurora, Colorado to George Hardy Barnard and Betty Jo (Cochran) Barnard. The oldest of four siblings, he spent his growing up years in Oklahoma. Bryon served in the Oakland, California mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned home to attend BYU where he met his future wife, Deborah Owen. Bryon and Deborah were sealed together for eternity in the Denver, Colorado Temple on December 3, 1988, and welcomed five children to their family. Bryon and Deborah spent their married years living in Colorado, Wisconsin, Washington, and Utah.
Of all his accomplishments, Bryon invested his best efforts in being a husband, father, and grandfather. He was devoted, patient, supportive, and hilarious. Bryon’s family was his greatest legacy, but his influence expanded well beyond his own posterity. He spent his life lifting others in inconspicuous ways. He was never hesitant to champion the success of other people and had a tender heart and generous spirit. Bryon had a life-long passion for learning new things—especially all things science and technology. He spent his career working as a software program manager.
Throughout his life, Bryon was a powerful example of how to respond to challenges and heartbreak. He lost his third daughter, Natalie, in 2015 and has been a steady comfort to the rest of his family as they continue to mourn and miss her. In 2020, Bryon began a hard-fought battle with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After enduring six rounds of brutal chemotherapy, he was thrilled to have a complete response with no evidence of cancer. Sadly, the chemotherapy that saved his life made him less able to mount a response to his Covid vaccine. He patiently and faithfully endured another heartbreaking battle with Covid which he eventually could not win.
Bryon and his family are forever grateful to the dedicated health care workers at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah ICU who battled right alongside Bryon trying to preserve his life.
Before his passing, Bryon reminded his family that a devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ, should be our priority and focus. He wanted us to love God and to love each other. These words spoken at the end of his suffering were not really necessary, as his entire life had taught us those lessons.
We take comfort in knowing that Bryon is now reunited with his father, George, and his daughter, Natalie. He leaves behind his wife, Deborah; and his children, Bethany Chesley (Aaron), Amanda Jensen, Brandon (Maddie), and Jared (Mikayla); along with his five grandchildren, Owen Jensen, Georgia, Hazel, and Donovan Chesley, and Brooks Barnard. Bryon is also mourned by his mother, Betty, and his siblings Gary Barnard (Merchy), Janice Hope Morrison, and Cynthia Ruble (Bryon).
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, July 26, 2021 at the Canyon Hills 3rd Ward, 750 West 4050 North, Lehi, Utah with a viewing to begin at 9:00 am. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Garden, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.
If you have not yet had the chance to complete your Covid vaccine series, we ask you to please wear a mask to Bryon's funeral service so that we may protect the vulnerable members of our community.
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