Howard Leroy 'Peanut' Bayers, 79, of Sonora died Friday, May 23.
He was a Tuolumne County native, born and raised in Stent. He was born to Fredrick Bayers and Cora M. Burnham Bayers, and was the 12th child of 14.
He married his wife Carol Sue Stone in Reno, NV in 1957.
Mr. Bayers began working at the lime kiln at a young age, from there he went to work for the box factory in Tuolumne. Later, he started working construction, first as a teamster, then laborer, and finally as an operating engineer. He retired after 28 years working for George Reed Co.
Over the years he was involved with rodeo, mules, horse showing, and anything 'cowboy.' He was a bull rider and rodeo clown. He worked on many films in Tuolumne County as a wrangler and as an extra. He recently worked on the independent film 'Livin' By The Gun.'
He was a past member of the 'Cowboy Arena Club,' charter member of the Moose, the American Mule Association, and Reenactment Guild of America.
He wanted to continue to preserve the 'Old West' heritage and was a member of the Reenactment team's 'Guns of the Chosen Few.' He helped to build three 'old west towns,' two on the Calaveras County fairgrounds where he performed with his group.
After retirement, he and his wife traveled in their RV. One of his favorite places was the Grand Canyon and he went by mule twice to the bottom of the canyon. He also made three trips to Hawaii, a place he loved.
He was a loving, kind, caring, and compassionate person. He enjoyed every moment of life with family and friends. He loved meeting people and finding out about where they were from and exchanging business cards.
He is survived by his wife Carol; daughters, Cheryl (Pat) McIntire of Jamestown, Jennell Avilla of Escalon, Kim (Marty) Meckler of Jamestown; brother, Louie Bayers of Sonora; grandchildren, Shannell and Bret Blagg, Sean McIntire, Sarah Avilla, Brian Avilla, Marshae Wolf, Brett Wolf, and Evon Meckler; great-grandson, Tayland Jolly; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Frances Lally, Edith Garrison, June Bayers, Margie Strong, Virginia Gray, Constance White, and Lina Barth; brothers, Alfred Bayers, Clyde Bayers, Fredrick Bayers, James Bayers, and Archie Bayers.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Remembrances may be made to the Jamestown Jail Rehabilitation Project, American Cancer Society or to the VFW Post #3154 in Sonora.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
June 4, 2008
He was a Tuolumne County native, born and raised in Stent. He was born to Fredrick Bayers and Cora M. Burnham Bayers, and was the 12th child of 14.
He married his wife Carol Sue Stone in Reno, NV in 1957.
Mr. Bayers began working at the lime kiln at a young age, from there he went to work for the box factory in Tuolumne. Later, he started working construction, first as a teamster, then laborer, and finally as an operating engineer. He retired after 28 years working for George Reed Co.
Over the years he was involved with rodeo, mules, horse showing, and anything 'cowboy.' He was a bull rider and rodeo clown. He worked on many films in Tuolumne County as a wrangler and as an extra. He recently worked on the independent film 'Livin' By The Gun.'
He was a past member of the 'Cowboy Arena Club,' charter member of the Moose, the American Mule Association, and Reenactment Guild of America.
He wanted to continue to preserve the 'Old West' heritage and was a member of the Reenactment team's 'Guns of the Chosen Few.' He helped to build three 'old west towns,' two on the Calaveras County fairgrounds where he performed with his group.
After retirement, he and his wife traveled in their RV. One of his favorite places was the Grand Canyon and he went by mule twice to the bottom of the canyon. He also made three trips to Hawaii, a place he loved.
He was a loving, kind, caring, and compassionate person. He enjoyed every moment of life with family and friends. He loved meeting people and finding out about where they were from and exchanging business cards.
He is survived by his wife Carol; daughters, Cheryl (Pat) McIntire of Jamestown, Jennell Avilla of Escalon, Kim (Marty) Meckler of Jamestown; brother, Louie Bayers of Sonora; grandchildren, Shannell and Bret Blagg, Sean McIntire, Sarah Avilla, Brian Avilla, Marshae Wolf, Brett Wolf, and Evon Meckler; great-grandson, Tayland Jolly; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Frances Lally, Edith Garrison, June Bayers, Margie Strong, Virginia Gray, Constance White, and Lina Barth; brothers, Alfred Bayers, Clyde Bayers, Fredrick Bayers, James Bayers, and Archie Bayers.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Remembrances may be made to the Jamestown Jail Rehabilitation Project, American Cancer Society or to the VFW Post #3154 in Sonora.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
June 4, 2008
