Sunday, September 17, 2006, Joseph Earl Byrne, ?Grandpa Joe? passed away peacefully in his home in Kennewick surrounded by those he loved; he was 78 years old. Joe was born to Ralph Lafayette Byrne and Effie Gladys Garrett Byrne in New Bridge, Oregon on December 6, 1927. He spent his youth in Sparta, Oregon until 1934, when his parents bought a ranch in the Lower Powder River. Joe graduated in 1946 from Baker High School in Baker, Oregon. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 1st Cavalry in occupied Japan from 1946-1948, when he was honorably discharged. While serving in the Army, Joe was honored with the award of ?Soldier of the Month?. A family man always, Joe?s family came first. He will be remembered for many things, among them his twinkling blue eyes, a love for his family, farm animals, kitties, peppermint gum, ?tasties? and tractor rides. Joe loved old trucks and tractors and especially enjoyed talking trucks and tractors with his family and his many friends. A ?jack of all trades? and ?master of all?, Joe was a self employed rancher, trucker, mechanic and equipment trader. For a number of years, Joe and his family did custom combining. He also hauled farm products and grapes for the wineries in his later years. Joe loved designing and engineering his own tools and equipment. When it came to math, he was a whiz with numbers. His family can recall giving him number problems and square-root problems. Joe had the amazing ability to solve the problems quickly in his mind. By the time we punched the numbers into a calculator, he had the answer, and it was always correct and carried to many decimal places. Throughout his life?s journey, Joe lived in Eastern Oregon, briefly in Western Montana, and Eastern Washington. Much of his life was spent in Kennewick with his best friend and wife of thirty-five years, Marion. Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister, Freda. He is survived by his wife, Marion of Kennewick; his sisters and brothers; children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA. 99336.