Douglas “Doug” Craig Byal

Douglas “Doug” Craig Byal

Marion

Douglas “Doug” Craig Byal, 86, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Winslow House Care Center in Marion, where he spent his last few years with Parkinson’s and dementia. The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, where a Masonic Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the funeral home, with Vicki Standley officiating. Per his wishes, cremation will follow services. Inurnment will take place at a later date at McKeever Cemetery in rural Colfax, Iowa.

Doug was born on June 26, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of William “Roscoe” and Elna Lenae (Walters) Byal. He attended Mingo Consolidated School, K-12, graduating in 1956. In 1962, he graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On June 10, 1960, Doug married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn K. Hill, in Mingo, Iowa, and they made their home in Milwaukee, until Doug graduated. They later moved to Cedar Rapids, where he worked for Collins Radio for a short time, then was offered a position with the U.S. Office of Naval Research. He was stationed in the Physics Building at the University of Iowa. He worked closely with Dr. James Van Allen, a prominent American Space Scientist, on many space experiments. Doug witnessed many when they were launched. The Navy closed the office in Iowa City after many years. Doug joined the U.S. Department of Defense Contracts as a Department Head in Cedar Rapids, until retiring in 1998.

Doug had many hobbies, but the one dearest to his heart was his Ham Radio. He began at age 15 and worked them until Parkinson’s and dementia left him unable to continue. Doug was a member of the Marion Methodist Church and the Marion Masonic Lodge #6. He had an abundance of extended family and friends who will remember him and his many jokes. Doug will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Byal of Marion; two sons, Derrick Byal of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Daniel Byal of Maquoketa, Iowa; and grandson, Daniel Byal of Cedar Rapids.

Those preceding Doug to Heaven were his parents, Roscoe and Elna Byal; brother, William “Bill” Byal; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Margaret Hill; sister-in-law, Marjorie (Gene) Pierce; sister-in-law, Wilma Hill; and brother-in-law, Harvey (Myrna) Hill.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Please share a memory of Doug at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.