James Byrn

Dr. James M. Byrn, O. D.
James Milton Byrn, 91, died October 22, 2016 at his home from natural causes. James was born to Gradye Rice Byrn and Robert Ernest Byrn on September 15, 1925 in Union City, TN. He graduated from Martin High School in 1943. He worked at the Martin Air Field that summer and entered the Army Air Corp that fall into Aviation Cadet Program. He was a gunner. He remained a member of the Air Force reserves and retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. When WWII ended, he worked at a munitions plant briefly before attending and graduating from the Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN. While in Memphis, he met his future wife, Dorothy McSwain Byrn. They lived in Hopkinsville and moved to Murray, KY in 1958. They had two children Philip and Emily.
In an effort to improve his community and the lives of all the people, he participated in civic, religious, and governmental organizations.
He had a 50-yr career as an Optometrist. He was president of the Kentucky Optometric Association and was instrumental in getting legislation passed to provide Vision Care Benefit by Insurance providers. He was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 45. He was a Kentucky Colonel. He was on the Jackson Purchase Health Department Board and the Murray Calloway County Health Department Board. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, including chairman of the board of trustees, and was involved with the long-term planning to acquire the land and build the church's Christian life center. He was the Flotilla Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, and received the Paul Harris award. He was involved with the Murray Calloway Industrial Foundation and the Murray Calloway Economic Development Corporation.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his son, Philip McSwain Byrn (Nashville, TN), daughter, Emily Byrn Scarborough (Idaho Falls, ID), grandson Nicholas Ryan Scarborough (Pocatello, ID), and granddaughter Rebecca Ann Scarborough (Auburn, WA).
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Dr. Rick Dye and Rev. Jim Stahler will officiate, and the burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, October 28, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may go to; First United Methodist Church 503 Maple street, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or Southern College of Optometry, 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, Tennessee 38104 or Murray Rotary Club P.O. Box 411, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
Online condolences for Dr. Byrn can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com