Patricia "Pat" Jean Ward Byars

Patricia “Pat” Jean Ward Byars, beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and lifelong champion of hard work and proper grammar, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2026, just weeks after celebrating her 89th birthday on July 5.

Born in Pampa with twin sister, Peggy, Pat grew up in a family that valued education, discipline, and service — values she carried throughout her life and instilled in her children and students.

Pat married her Pampa High School sweetheart, COL Byron R. Byars, Jr., USAR (Ret.), a man who shared her commitment to education, integrity, and community service. Both played in the Long Horn band and attended UT Austin. After graduation, they moved to White Settlement where she taught school, and she and Byron taught Sunday school to teens. Together, they built a family grounded in curiosity, responsibility, and the belief that learning changes lives. Byron passed away in 2023, and Pat continued to honor his legacy through her work, her teaching, and her devotion to their children and grandchildren.

A Life Dedicated to Education and Service

Pat devoted more than 55 years to teaching, mentoring, and preparing students for meaningful careers. She served as Office Technology Faculty at Brookhaven College for nearly 45 years, and had a 40-year pin to reflect her commitment. Her roles included department head, a full-time professor, and beginning as a long-time adjunct. Earlier in her career, Pat taught office careers at Collin County Community College District, developed course content, and supervised classroom environments. She also taught at The Alexander School in Dallas, a private, college-preparatory middle and high school in Richardson, Richardson ISD, and for Jennings High School in St. Louis.

Pat taught courses in typing, computer applications, business communication, office technology, and professional development. She developed curriculum, advised students, coordinated programs, and served on committees that shaped the college’s academic direction. Remarkably, Pat taught on-line courses into her eighties. An advocate for her students, they wrote she was "the best teacher/professor they ever had" and that you would "learn in her class and use what you learn." Her students nominated her multiple times for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, a testament to her impact on generations of learners. In addition, she was recognized by Brookhaven college for numerous awards, including teaching excellence and as a distinguished professor. And ... somewhere there is a tree on the Brookhaven campus with her name on it.

As a professor, she was known for her high standards, her clear expectations, and her ability to make students feel capable, prepared, and proud of their work. Many credited her with helping them finish their degrees, completing certifications, and learning skills that earned them jobs.

Beyond teaching, Pat held leadership and administrative roles at Widner, Schieder & Strolberg; Travis Service Consultants/Trinity Valley; Executive Trust Corporation; Resolution Trust Corporation/FDIC; and Withrow, Fiscus & Swindling. She managed professional offices, coordinated major projects, prepared legal documents, organized travel and operations, and supported attorneys, executives, and doctors with professionalism and a caring nature. In addition to selling real estate, she worked to welcome those new to the Richardson area through the Welcome Newcomers program.

Pat held a Texas Teacher Certification (Life), was a Texas Real Estate Broker, and served as a Texas Notary. Her résumé reflects not only her skill but her reliability — she was the person who people trusted to get things done correctly and to ensure relationships were developed and maintained.

Proof of her value was shown when Pat worked as a student assistant at the Texas State Capitol for Senator Grady Hazlewood in Austin. He was the senator who sponsored the Texas Hazlewood Act, a state benefit that provides qualified military veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 credit hours of free tuition and mandatory fee waivers at public colleges, universities, and technical schools in Texas. The Senator's office knew she was newly married and paying for college. When a second position became open, they asked her to cover both positions and receive both salaries. Pat also worked in the Dean's office at UT's college of Business Administration (now known as McCombs School of Business).

Pat earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with Honors from The University of Texas, where she was recognized with the Beta Alpha Psi Award, Beta Gamma Sigma Scholarship, and held membership in several honorary societies. A life-long volunteer, her service included being a charter member of the Beta Gamma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band sorority, installed at the University of Texas at Austin. A resident of the Scottish Rite Dorm, she was in the first class that allowed women to march in the Long Horn band.

In Saint Louis, she served in Beta Sigma Phi, Ferguson United Methodist Church, and in La Leche League where she was president over four (4) counties. In Richardson, she was known for her strong leadership of the Dartmouth PTA. She served for multiple years as PTA president and was renown for obtaining the best bargains for the school's carnivals. She donated her time, talents, and treasure to Richland United Methodist Church, Community Christian Church, First United Methodist Church of Richardson, and Metrocrest Services. It was not unusual for Pat to type up a student's project, to tutor her children's friends, and to encourage all those seeking to better themselves. In fact, many considered her another mother or the mother they never had. Pat's super power was proof-reading term papers and books-in-progress.

Pat was a true firecracker with an impressive Steinbach Nutcracker collection. She loved to shop and had a remarkable talent for finding unbelievable clearance deals at Kohl’s and Dillard’s, especially during the Christmas season. The family joke was how often Mama Pat gave everyone the same style of shirt, sweater, or piece of costume jewelry. Even so, no one ever knew what surprise might appear during the lively and unpredictable secret gift exchange.

Family, Legacy, and Love

Predeceased by her mother, Marguerite Alice Terrell Ward, her father, Melvin "Virl" Ward, and her twin sister, Margaret Anne "Peggy" Ward Countryman, Pat is survived by her brother Jim V. Ward. She is also survived by her children — Linda Byars Swindling (with Gregg), Trey Byars, and Karen Anne Byars Hall — lovingly known as “the Kids,” and by her grandchildren — Parker Swindling (with Chani), Taylor Swindling (with Ross), Marguerite Zoe Hall, Ian Roger Hall, and Laura Byars — “the Grands,” who adored their Mama Pat. They learned early that she expected proper grammar, good manners, a strong work ethic, and an ability to watch Hallmark movies.

Pat believed deeply in education as a pathway to opportunity. Her spirit lives in every student she encouraged, every colleague she supported, every project she organized, and every family member she loved fiercely. In honor of both Pat and Byron, the family has established a scholarship at Dallas College (especially Brookhaven College) to continue their legacy of learning, service, and community impact. Gifts to the Byars Family Endowment support the Patricia and Byron R. Byars, Jr. Family Endowed Scholarship, established in honor of Patricia “Pat” and COL Byron R. Byars, Jr. USAR (Ret.). Contributions will help grow the permanent endowment and sustain scholarship support for Dallas College students for generations to come.

Celebrating Pat

A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church on August 22, 2026. Pat would not approve of anything overly sad or wasting money that could be better applied to helping others. In lieu of flowers or food, the family invites friends, colleagues, and former students to donate to the Byars scholarship or a non-profit of their choice. She would also highly approve of you having lunch with a dear friend, especially if there was a special.

Please share your stories and memories of Pat below— especially those that reflect her humor, her high standards, her kindness, and her unmistakable presence.

Pat Byars lived with purpose, taught with passion, and loved with clarity. She leaves behind a legacy of education, service, and family devotion that will continue for generations.