Byron Royse

Byron Douglas Royse, age 68, passed away among family members on October 24, 2023 at his home in Spokane, WA. He had fought a hard battle with a very aggressive cancer for most of this past year. We grieve the loss of a very good man; a good husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. 

Byron entered this world on November 13, 1954 to a supportive family as the middle child of five children. His parents were Homer and Gladys Royse, and he grew up with many close cousins, particularly the Grey family of Bismarck. He graduated from Mandan High School of Mandan, ND in 1972 and, also, attended Wahpeton State School of Science. As a young man, his mother would always describe him as 'the one with all the friends. Clever and hardworking, Byron enjoyed many successful and impressive endeavors.'

Byron, growing up, joined the family in operating the Royse Watermelon Kingdom, later renamed Royse Produce. He worked side-by-side and shoulder-to-shoulder with all his family members, and he would often recall that the pay was poor, but the memories were good. For years after Byron had grown, long-time customers would ask 'where was that little blond haired boy that always carried their purchases to their car.' During that time Byron also experienced the adventures of traveling the south and the west with his Dad with the family trucking business to bring in produce from those areas. At a young age, only 19, he moved west to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, not knowing a single person but with a desire to seek his own destiny. In those early years, he was an accomplished musician, playing guitar in a number of bands in the area. Also, in those early days, he started his own long-distance cross-country trucking company. His company thrived based on his long list of satisfied and repeat customers and clients; they knew Byron would always give them a fair price, a delivery on time, and a delivery in good condition. No excuses were ever offered or needed by Byron in following this business practice. Byron also continued, for his entire life, to be involved in the family produce business.

In Idaho, Byron was drawn to the mountains north of Coeur d'Alene. He purchased land on a remote mountain top and built, over a period of many years, a very fine show case log cabin overlooking the valley and lakes below. Building the cabin involved clearing the land, cutting the trees, debarking, and notching those trees and constructing the structure. He did all this without professional help, including all the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work of the house, including damming up a nearby stream for water and power supply and installing an early version of a solar heating and power generator system. He did this decades before solar power became mainstream. That cabin became the site of many weekend adventures, vacations, experiences, and now memories, for his children and many grandchildren. Especially memorable were the annual family huckleberry picking events at that mountain retreat each year.

In 1995 Byron met Taylor Haux in Spokane WA. They were kindred spirits and soon married with Byron becoming a stepfather to her four children. At the time of his death, they were in their 25th year of a happy and successful marriage.

As all grandfathers, Byron was especially proud of the accomplishments, and personalities of his kids and particularly of his many grandchildren. His family, undoubtably, was the most important thing in his life. He was especially close to his grandson Bryan Romane, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Taylor, and his stepchildren, Tiffany Haux, Felicity Raney, Nate (and Beth) Haux, and Rodney (and Ashley) Haux all in the Spokane area. Additionally, he is survived by his brothers Al (and Lyn), Hillsborough, CA, Roger (and Daphne), Menlo Park, CA, Ken (and Kay), Seattle WA, and sister Delores Castle (and Todd), Bismarck, ND. He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, too many to list here but not forgotten.

Byron had the good fortune to enter this world into a loving and supportive family, and he also had the good fortune to leave this world in that same circumstance. He will be deeply missed.