Byron Fauss, affectionately known as Barney, passed away on August 23rd. Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle ended this journey which started in Iowa, but for the last 60 years has made his home in California.

On July 27, 1932, Byron was born in Shenandoah, Iowa and raised there until he went to Liberty College in Missouri. He received his degree from the University of Iowa and then joined the U.S. Navy. After serving as an officer in the Navy Air, Byron worked for Congoleum Linoleum and moved to California. There he met Alma Capel who was to become his wife in March of 1960. Family became all important, as they had their son, Bruce, followed three years later with daughter, Brenda. The family moved to Petaluma in 1966, as Byron owned and managed a Shell station. In 1974, Byron started his publishing career with the advent of Buy Lines. This joint venture of Byron and Alma was in print until 1987. So many of his employees not only learned a business but recognized Byron as a counselor, mentor, and leader. His fervor for selling was well known by many of the local businesses in the Sonoma-Marin County area.

Byron’s involvement in the community was endless. As a member of Toastmasters, he further developed his leadership skills. Barney was a long time member of the Rotary Club and served as president and as one of the younger members attested, Byron took us under his wing and made us feel a part of the club. He was involved in the Salvation Army and all of its philanthropic endeavors. Within the community, he served on SPARC (Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee) and other community organizations. Barney and a few other friends basically founded the men's basketball group in Petaluma with their morning games at the Petaluma High gym in the early 1970's. Byron devoted years of service to the Methodist Church both in Petaluma and Rohnert Park.

Family ties ran very deep in Barney’s life. His son, Bruce, has lived in Sonoma for most of his adult life. Daughter Brenda married Mark Richard and lives in Santa Rosa and blessed Byron and Alma with four granddaughters: Danielle, Ashley, Madeline, and Lauren, and more recently a great granddaughter, Callie Rose. Byron’s sister, Brenda Brummel, and her husband, Roger, live in Michigan and his niece, Sarah, who Byron introduced to California, is currently a teacher in Middletown, California. Byron was proceeded in death by his parents, B.T. and Bernice Fauss, his brother and best friend, Gregg; and his nephew, Greg Brummel.

A passion for Byron was grammar. Many years ago he was helping one of his granddaughters with homework and felt that grammar was an art of the past. He devoted himself to the study of grammar. To that end, he reentered the publishing field to produce a Glossary for Grammar. Part of his legacy will be for a granddaughter and his sister to complete the Glossary for distribution.

Another favorite pastime of Byron’s was golf. His Petaluma Country Club membership allowed him not only to spend time on the course, but hours to spend with so many of his friends. One of his proudest achievements was to hit a Hole in One! In addition, he was an ardent player of racquetball and spent hours maintaining his incredible gardens.

Byron’s sense of humor was one of his strongest traits. His banter and laugh will be remembered by family and friends alike. His life philosophy of Don’t take life so seriously was to help others as well as himself. Even through this last few months of health issues, he has still been able to play the role of devil’s advocate and held laughter and humor as a way of life.

So many people have offered their opinions of this Renaissance man which reveal his character and his passion for people. To quote a few:

He and his wife Alma hosted countless social events at their home, including many holiday volleyball/swimming/barbecue.

Reminiscing about the Fourth of July celebration at the House of Fauss: In this former life, we were lucky enough to have a true American Midwesterner in charge: a generous and hospitable patriot, who along with his wife, creates an annual holiday event to celebrate the country he loves—everyone welcome, and afterwards, firmly bonded together in community…. Barney is still a farm boy at heart. His ancestors were probably much like mine, leaving The Old Country for vast tracts of farmland offered by the government in exchange for settlement. When we all had drinks in hand (plastic cups because of the pool) and kids gathered round (dripping because of the pool), he could begin his annual toast: Four score and seven years ago!….

One former tenant expressed this sentiment: Precious Friend, Thank you for sharing life’s journey with me this past year. You have blessed me in ways too numerous to count! God knew exactly what my heart needed when he planted me in your garden.

As a synopsis: I suppose the main thing is to remember that if anyone lived, it was our Byron! Joy in all parts of life, and spreading joy around with sharing was his favorite thing: he influenced not just his own neighborhood, but his entire town with just the force of his personality. His 'genuine-ness' radiated from him, and that was his secret for winning respect.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 P.M. at the Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma, CA. The celebration of Bryon’s life will be held at the Petaluma Valley Baptist Church on Monday, August 29th at 11:00 with Rev. Tom Marcum officiating. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund for chimes at Byron’s childhood church, the Salvation Army and the youth of the Petaluma Valley Baptist Church.