J. Byron Tockey

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. 
at the First United Methodist Church in Bishop for long-
time Bishop resident J. Byron Tockey.

Byron was born to Ora and Florence Tockey in Loup City, Neb. 
on July 31, 1917, and died Nov. 5 in Bakersfield.

Byron graduated from Sargent High School in Nebraska in
1935 and came to Bishop in 1941.  He was a bus driver for
Inland Stages driving from Hollywood to Reno.  He later was
the manager of Bishop Wholesale Grocery at Joseph's Market
for many years, and then the sales manager at Luther Motors.

He was active in the Bishop Homecoming Association and was
honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshal in 1994.  He was
a life member of the Bishop Elks Lodge No. 1603, and a 
charter member of the Bishop Golf Club.

Byron married Freda Parent on Oct. 20, 1945, and they were
married 50 years.  He was a loving and devoted husband, 
father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all
who knew him, people and animals alike.  He will be greatly
missed.

Byron is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Janie and
Glenn Reeves of Bishop; son and daughter-in-law, Robert 
Dean and Kae Balogh of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandson, Eric 
Spoonhunter, granddaughter-in-law, Emma Spoonhunter,
granddaughter Ali McMurray, and step-grandson Steve Reeves,
all of Bishop; grandchildren, Mikki and her husband Loyd
Kendrick, Guy Balogh, Matthew Balogh, Michael Balogh and
Megan Balogh, all of Washington.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Campbell Early Rain
Spoonhunter, Weston Ty Paesano, and Chad Thomas Reeves of
Bishop, and Matthew, Leah, and Brittney Kendrick of
Bremerton, Wash.

Byron also leaves a sister, Audrey Pate of Bakersfield;
and two brothers, Mervin Tockey and his wife Esther, and
Darwin Tockey and his wife Joann of Bishop, and many loving
and caring nieces and nephews and friends.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, Ora and Florence
Tockey, brother-in-law, Frank D. Pate, and his wife, Freda 
Tockey.

Bishop, Inyo County, California
The Inyo Register - Saturday, November 9, 2002
Page A-2

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn