Byron was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 14, 1947. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 5, and then moved to Atascadero when he was 16. He passed away at his home in Atascadero on February 25, 2020.

He played football and track in high school. He graduated from Atascadero High School in 1965. He has a degree in Liberal Arts from Regents University. He was in the military for 40 years, working both at Camp Roberts and Camp San Luis, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After he retired from the military, he worked for Cal Poly as a Computer Systems Administrator.

Byron is survived by his wife of 52 years Bernadette, and his two sons, Aaron (spouse Melissa) and Dan (spouse Maureen), and grandchildren Garrett, Lucas and Lauren.