John Ragan Byram

Published 11:58 pm Friday, November 11, 2016

John Ragan Byram passed away at the Vicksburg Convalescent Home Nov. 11, 2016, four days before his 74th birthday.

A native of Tallulah, John moved to Vicksburg in 1965 after graduation from Louisiana Tech to assume a position at Merchants National Bank. He worked in the banking system for 40 years. John was also a graduate of the LSU School of Banking of the South, and a member of the American Institute of Banking.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Billie and Gaines Byram; and his sister, Jerry Caraway and niece Julie Caraway.

He is survived by Carole, his wife of 52 years; his two sons, Charles of Madison and Kevin of Vicksburg; three nephews, Scott Caraway of Jackson, Adam Lancaster of Baton Rouge, La., and Stephen Lancaster and his wife Ami of Lewisville, Texas; two granddaughters, Skylar Byram and Sydney Byram; and great-grandson, Milo Hedgepeth of Madison.

Over his life Mr. Byram was involved with the Young Republicans, the Vicksburg Optimist Club, the Elk’s Club, the Y’s Men’s Club, Vicksburg Jaycees, the American Cancer Society, The Southern Dance Club, the Vicksburg Home Builders, Ducks Unlimited, Big Rack Hunting Club and Rawhide Hunting Club. 

He was an advisor for the Junior Achievement Program and was executive director of the Miss Mississippi Pageant.  He also started the Warren Central A Club’s Sponsor Program and was an avid LSU fan. 

Mr. Byram had been a member of Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board, chairman of the Finance Committee, stewardship chairman, a member of the PPR committee, and was on the Board of Trustees. At the time of his death, he was an active member of Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church.

Thanks and gratitude goes to Dr. Lara Clement, the staff at Vicksburg Convalescent Home and St. Joseph Hospice.

Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service at 11:30 a.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mitch Cochran of Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery

Pallbearers will be Todd Dykes, Bill Windham, Todd Windham, Scott Caraway, Don Morton, Kent Lancaster, Adam Lancaster, Stephen Lancaster. Honorary pallbearers will be Wren Way, Dr. Jimmy Vessell John Frazier Wayne Prescott, Tom Murphree and Randy Wright.

Memorials may be sent to Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church/Building Fund, 335 Oak Ridge Rd, Vicksburg, MS  39183.