Kenneth Anthony Byes

May 12, 1967 - October 14, 2021

Kenneth Anthony Byes, 54 of Midvale, Utah passed away on October 14, 2021 from a terminal illness while hospitalized in Murray, Utah.  At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his beloved friends Dot and Jaclyn.
Ken was born in St Louis, Missouri on May 12, 1967.  He lived in New York, Washington, Colorado, and Utah.  He especially loved his young life in Rhinebeck, New York.  He served as a Ranger in the United States Army in California.
He is survived by his son Kelly Heinrichs (Alexis), four grandchildren Xxander, Riley, Colton and Barretta. His sisters Cheryl (Paul) Kostman, Anita Sjoblom, Linda (Chris) Lamey and a brother Norman Barr.
He was preceded in death by his biological parents Kenneth and Helen Byes and the parents who raised him Dwight and Rosemary Barr.
Ken was a brilliant mechanic and enjoyed owning his own business. His customers loved him because he was so knowledgeable and honest. He cared about people and fixed their vehicles right so they would never be stranded and always safe. There wasn’t a car he couldn’t fix but his niche passion was working on Snow Cats. He enjoyed working for Alta, Snowbird, Park City Powder Cats, and private owners. He was known all over the Western United States for his ability to troubleshoot and fix stranded snow cats on the mountain. 
Ken was an avid reader with an encyclopedic base of knowledge. He was blessed with a quick wit and irreverent sense of humor that drew people to him. He was famous for his uplifting bear hugs. As a big strong guy sometimes his rough exterior fooled people. It hid his soft heart and extreme kindness. He was a generous man who was much loved and will be missed by so many close friends and relatives.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be on Friday, October 29, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.
As a tribute to Ken the family requests you make a donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. 
In honor of Ken—do a good deed but don’t get caught.

In Loving Memory

Ken, As I sit here shedding a few tears, I will miss you as a friend, a brother and someone whom I could always count on to be there when needed and tell it to me straight. I have always looked forward to your visits to my place in Sandy and on the mountain, eating lunch and learning from your vast knowledge of the snowcat world.  For now, I know that will no longer happen here, but am certain, that someday in the future we will meet again and you will again tell me my tool box is a mess. I love you brother, you are like no other. Chris

Chris McCandless

Sandy, UT

Dad,  I have such a hard time thinking that we will never spend hours on the phone I have no one who I can call to just crack jokes back and forth. Talk about guns and cars and projects you wanted us to do together we have had our ups and downs as expected because we are so similar our personality's and sense of humor just maid some of the funnest days of my life I wish we would've had more time to do all the things we talked about doing together or so u could have met all your grandchildren. So instead I will always tell them story's about there grandpa ken. Your memory will live on in story's reminiscing on our visits together. I'm glad at least that I was able to make you proud before you passed and you have spoken to all your grandchildren over the phone. I miss you so much dad I will be waiting for the day we meet again to Laugh Intel our our belly's are in pain I love u dad ...

Kelly Heinrichs

Rogue River, OR

For over 14 years Ken had the key to my house, the code to my garage door and took up familiar residence in my family's heart.  He was a friend,  a big brother, a teacher, a dependable guardian angel.  My address was frequented by NAPPA Auto for deliveries for parts to repair customer's vehicles rotating through my driveway. My own were kindly referred to as the "Johnson Curse". He was truly, without exaggeration, talented and known for his mechanical abilities and skills.  He had a special relationship with my parents which he sometimes referred to as Grandma Florence and Grandpa Arley.  He was especially fond of my father in whom he found a unique bond and had a profound respect for.  Ken was generous to my family with his gifts, his time and sharing his talents.  My son, Chad learned many basic mechanical skills from Ken. He has continued to develop these skills which allows him to work on personal autos.  Ken often told me that some of his favorite memories were spending time with my son repairing and riding the "piglets" (Honda 90s) and Sunday dinners at my house.  He loved my hamburger stroganoff.  When you chat with him in heaven you can ask him about my beer and cheese soup. I had to take years of ribbing for that recipe faux pas. I am deeply saddened by Ken's early departure from my family and this world.  Truly "May God Be With You Until We Meet Again". 

Robin R Johnson

SANDY, UT

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