James R. Byrket

Danville- On March 19, 1947, the world became a better place when James Raymond Byrket was born in Danville, Illinois to Robert Russell and Dortha Johnson Byrket, both of whom preceded him in death. On December 31, 2016, Jim's life suddenly ended due to a brief battle with cancer. Survivors include his favorite son Ben Byrket & his wife Carol (Birmingham, Alabama), his most favorite daughter Bricey Machin (Danville) and his youngest favorite, Blair Byrket (Danville). His grandchildren are Annie & Gracie Machin, Madison & Emily Byrket and Adam Watson Jr. Jim's brother R. Thomas Byrket and sister-in-law Diane Byrket, nieces Leigh Sutherlin and Marty Byrket and nephew Steven Byrket survive. Also surviving is Gordon Murphy, Jim's closest (and oldest) friend. Jim attended Edison Grade School, North Ridge Jr. High, Danville High School, Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam, WI), and Ripon College (Ripon, WI). While at Ripon College, Jim was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the basketball and baseball teams. Jim was a natural athlete and lettered in all sports he played. He later played softball and hardball in Danville with the 69'ers teams. Jim was an owner of Danville Electric Supply from 1971 through 1984. He was also employed by Hyster Co. in New York City, and Tepper Electric Supply in Champaign, IL. Jim's customers were his friends and he loved going to work every day. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club of Danville, Olive Branch #38 Masonic lodge, Valley of Danville Scottish Rite Bodies, Ansar Shrine, Danville Elks Lodge #332, and Danville Country Club. Jim loved printing off hundreds of recipes and never cooking them. He also loved cooking for his family and most recently discovered a love of smoking meats. Jim never met a dog he didn't love and was often seen walking the neighborhood with his beloved "boys". Family was Jim's number one priority. He will forever be remembered as our favorite Dad. A celebration of Jim's life will take place Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 10am-1pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville followed by a private family burial. Please join James' family in sharing photos and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com Bummer.