Dean Warren Byrns

Dean Warren Byrns, 77, died of natural causes on Friday, April 27, 2018, surrounded by loved ones in his Spokane Valley, Washington home.

Dean was born on Dec. 2, 1940, in Jefferson, Iowa. Shortly after graduating from Louisville High School in the Denver, Colorado area, he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Brossman, on Aug. 7, 1959.

Dean spent 24 years employed at the The Showroom in Spokane. Dean was an elder and lay leader in many churches, including Libby Christian Church in Libby, Westgate Christian Church in Spokane, Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, and Valley Real Life in Spokane Valley. Dean loved Jesus and cared for each person he encountered. His church family stretched across the globe.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joanne; his children, Dean, Jr. and Beth Byrns, both of Libby; Julie and Rex Koehler of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Roger and Jodi Byrns of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Paul and Stefanie Byrns of Post Falls; siblings Dennis Byrns, Kathy Collins and Greg Woods; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Valley Real Life at 1831 S. Barker Road in Spokane Valley, with Pastor Dan Shields officiating. Pallbearers include Ken Koehler, Dustin Koehler, Tim Byrns, Caleb Byrns, Jay Bennett and Larch McWatters; honorary pallbearers include Austin Soucie, Dillon Byrns and Nathaniel Byrns.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ABIDE Worldwide, P.O. Box 464, Otis Orchards, WA 99027 or online at abide.world. Gifts in Dean’s name will go toward ABIDE’s Uganda general fund, which supports the work of the church dear to Dean in that country.

The family would like to thank the many people who have cared for them during this difficult time of saying goodbye. Arrangements by Yates Funeral Home of Coeur d’Alene.