Last year my dad, H. Keith Byram passed away at age 78, leaving behind a wife of nearly fifty years, (my mom) Virginia.

Keith was a man who loved defending the law, having served in the Navy, as a police officer, a Special Agent and ultimately as a Judge.

For the first 20 years of my life I found myself at odds with Kieth often, rebellious youth that I was. Keith stood for the strong moral values that characterizes "The Greatest Generation" as a confused child of the 60's, I felt like it was my calling to challenge and "Question Authority" as the bumper sticker put it.

Keith was a man's man, standing 6'6" with a booming voice he could put the fear of God in me. Yet during the height of my rebellion in 1967, after I fled home for the Haight-Ashbury scene, it was Keith who flew from our home in LA to SF to beg me to come home. But in my foolish pride, I refused his offer and have regretted it ever since.

Finally, in 1973, my life finally began to come into focus when I became a Christian. Suddenly it was I who thirsted for strong moral values and, like the Prodigal Son, felt compelled to return home to beg forgiveness for my bull-headed rebellion.

Keith was a gentle giant of a man, whose love for the law has since inspired me to study both man's and God's laws, which Scripture tell us is the pathway to true liberty. I will miss Keith more than words can explain and look forward to growing closer to him in eternity.

My mom is an overcomer, who has recently renewed her faith in Christ in the process of grieving her loss of Keith -- her loving life partner.

Thankfully, today she is surrounded by family and many new friends in her new home of Twin Falls, ID -- which is an answer to my prayers this past year.

The morals of this short tribute to H. Keith Byram:
-Children, love your parents, obey your parents today and you shall have a good, long life.
-Wifes stand by you husband, even if your children rebel.
-Christians keep on praying for your family and friends, for God loves them and wants His best for them even more that you do.

My mom and brother Kevin put together a video collage tribute to Keith, which is very moving and can be viewed by clicking HERE.