Byron Fagan

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 7, at 3 pm at Lynchwood Church of God in Portland, Oregon for Byron Shields Fagan of Salem, Oregon.

Byron died by his own hand on Friday, September 15, 2017 at his home in Salem. He was 54 years old.

Byron Shields Fagan was born on November 28, 1962 in Portland, Oregon to Richard P. Fagan and Elva L (Kniskern) Fagan. He was Richard and Elva’s second child, born two days before his older sister Cindy’s first birthday. Byron lived with his family in the Lake Grove neighborhood of Lake Oswego until 1972, when with his mother and sister he moved to the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland. In 1973 another move took the family to Vancouver, Washington where Byron spent the rest of his childhood and graduated from Hudson’s Bay HIgh School in 1981.

After high school, Byron attended classes at Clark College in Vancouver and worked various odd jobs. In 1985, when his mother moved to the Dallas, Texas area, Byron followed and began his years working for Target Corporation. He enjoyed living in Texas, and over the next 15 years took many trips exploring that part of the country, and this is when he developed his love of camping. Byron also was active in his local church, where he was appreciated for his acts of service to many of the members. There were several moves in the Dallas area during these years, including Grand Prairie, Lewiston, Arlington and finally Coppell, but his employment at Target remained steady. It was during these years that Byron became an uncle to his niece Caitlin Buckle and his nephews Spencer and Daylin Buckle. He enjoyed being an uncle and whenever they came to Texas to visit he would make sure to let them know he loved them very much.

In 2000, after his mother retired and moved back to Portland, Byron also decided to return, and began a short term of employment with various trucking companies, driving 18 wheelers. He truly enjoyed driving the big rigs, but realized that developing health issues would make it difficult to continue. He tried a few other jobs before landing in the produce department at his local Walmart, where he was employed at the time of his death.

Byron also continued to pursue the activities he enjoyed, including fishing, camping and taking his mother on outings. They were best friends and he was always exceedingly patient with her. When she passed away earlier this year, he felt the loss deeply.

Byron enjoyed camping and fishing, but found his true passion when he started researching his family history. His maternal grandmother had started researching, and after she passed, Byron took her information and began looking for anything and everything he could find on both sides the family. He filled notebooks and photo albums with information and was always game to chase down any lead he could.

Byron will be remembered by his family, friends and coworkers as a kind, thoughtful man who had a ready smile and was always trying to cheer others up. He loved his family, cared deeply for his friends and had a deep, wry sense of humor that was often overlooked. His faith in God was also very important to him.

Byron is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Elva. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Cynthia and Bernie Buckle, his niece Caitlin Buckle, his niece and nephew Amanda and Spencer Buckle and his nephew Daylin Buckle, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Byron’s memory may be made to the scholarship fund for Camp White Branch in care of Lynchwood Church of God.

The family wishes to thank Johnson Funeral Home of Salem for their compassionate assistance during this difficult time.