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It is with a mix of great sadness and rejoicing we announce the passing and celebration of our beloved Bryon Keith Madsen. He held the distinction of being loved by all. There wasn’t a person who met him that wasn’t entertained by his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. He was a casserole-loving, small town, simple guy who found levity in everything. It was truly the tool that got him through life and even at the end of a very difficult journey with diabetes and heart failure it was still intact.
Bryon was born in Rigby, Idaho May 6, 1949, to Leda Mae and George Keith Madsen. He was the eldest of their five children and a beloved older brother to Lamar, Karen, Colleen and Dalan. He was always proud of his small-town Idaho roots and was quick to tell you Rigby was the birthplace of television.
In 1969 Bryon served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona California mission. He graduated from Rick’s College and then from the Phoenix Police Academy (achieving highest marksmanship). After just one year as a police officer, he decided it didn’t fit the family life he wanted more. So, he turned in his badge and headed to BYU. It was there that he met his wife and great love of his life Sidney Ray. After a quick engagement they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on April 30, 1976, and that same year he graduated from BYU.
He spent his career in the banking and mortgage industries and eventually started his own business, Mesa Mortgage, with Leonard Richards. Bryon loved basketball and for years he planned his life around a good half-court game. He took up running and ran the Phoenix marathon and many Mesa Turkey Trots.
He served in numerous church callings including the organist, youth leader, three Bishoprics and on the Lehi Stake High Counsel. But what he would really want you to know about him was his children because they were his greatest accomplishment.
He was proud of his daughter Candice’s accomplishments as a journalist and television news producer. She inherited her interviewing skills from her dad who always knew how to ask people questions about themselves and made everyone feel special. Bryon loved and appreciated the way Natalie kept him looking good with her hairstyling skills and like her dad, Natalie is everyone’s biggest cheerleader. He relished watching “the boy” Roman excel in sports and then begin his career in psychiatry. Like his dad, Roman is a leader and protector. Rachel inherited her dad’s charm and love of running and is the sunshine of the family. He loved watching Hayley dance, and everyone agrees she also inherited his wit, and Bryon was one proud Papa when Rissa, the baby of the family, started her own successful business. Like her dad, Rissa knows how to bring the fun. Bryon loved his 18 grandchildren, and they too became the center of his life.
One of Bryon’s greatest pieces of advice to his children was ‘to have a friend, you have to be a friend’ and it is evident by his many lifelong friendships that he was also a good friend, and these friendships blessed his life immensely.
Please join us in a celebration of his life December 20 from 6-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ Ridge Ward Building, 2220 N. Harris, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
I knew Bryon from Rigby High School. What a nice guy and kind friend he was. May God bless you all at this time and always.
Sidney, my heart hurts for the the loss of Bryon. My prayers are with you, the girls and “the boy.” I love you all-and pray for the spirit to comfort you. I wish I could be there with you but Mike’s ex-wife is getting married that day. Hugs to all the family.
He was just such a funny, and lovable guy! A dear Uncle to me who always made me feel important and special. So happy for him to be healthy in heaven. He will be missed and cherished by so many!
Bryan was always so friendly and kind to our family and me. He was so supportive of my decision to be baptized and even was a witness at my baptism. I’ll never forget how he gave me cassette tapes with the stories of all the church presidents so I could learn more about them and the church. His trial on earth has been completed, and I can testify that he is in paradise right now! I just asked our son Joey, our heavenly angel, to give him a big hug from all of us.
My heart weeps for you, Madsen family. You created such a beautiful summary of your dad‘s life. I don’t have any words to make his loss feel better. We are just thinking about you and praying for you.
Miss you and feel gratitude to the BEST missionary and roommate..
I am really sorry for your family’s loss. What a great friendly and funny person Bryon was. I remember working in the attic with Bryon and Leonard for a time getting Mesa Mortgage off the ground. It was a pleasure. We have lost one of the good ones. My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.
Bryon was a fun person to work with … everyone liked him … he was vey protective of his children … I visited his parents in Idaho … they would be anybody’s ideal choice … now it’s time to reacquaint himself with his predecessors
Candace, I’m so very sorry for your loss. He sounds like such a wonderful dad. I’m so glad he was yours.
Much love,
Danalee
Bryon was a fun friend. We shared many things together from basketball to our children and grandchildren. He was a fun friend to be around and we had many laughs together over the years. He will be missed by those of us who are left behind but his memory will linger on His greatest legacy is his wife, children, and grandchildren. As he left this life We say there here goes. As he enters the next life his family and friends are saying HERE HE COMES. We all send our love and prayers to his dear family and wife.
Bryon was always busy with life, always a good friend. In high school he was very popular as he was both handsome and funny at the same time. Sorry I can’t make to the service, my condolences to the Madsen family. The world lost a good one….
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope he finds peace in heaven. Know I am thinking of you and your family through this holiday season.
Dear Madsen Family,
We are so sorry to learn of Bryon’s passing. Brent and Bryon were part of the “Big 6” when attending Rigby High School. There are many fond memories of the great times we had together as a group of friends. He was always fun to be with and exemplified strong leadership. It is an honor to have known him. We send our condolences and wish we could be there to say goodbye in person.
It wasn’t until latter in life that I became acquainted with Bryon in our ward family. I found his quick wit and humor to be comfortable with mine .I took him on a road trip to Roosevelt Lake and we enjoyed each other so much, He was a “hoot”. I’ll miss you Bryon ,but you are at pease with loved ones now. Bon voyage.
Dear Madsen Family,
I learned about Bryon’s passing while out of state. I’m so sorry for your loss and wish I could have attended the funeral today to honor him with you. Bryon was such a genuine, loving, loyal and reliable person. I thoroughly enjoyed serving with him and appreciated his work ethic, testimony and dedication. I will miss your husband, father and grandfather. Until we meet again Bryon…
Bryson was one of my childhood friends… so sorry for he’s passing… he was always kind.and generous I’m so sorry for hs sweet family
Just learned of Bryon’s passing. I was classmate, neighbor, friend. So many memories flooding my brain right now. He was a special person and I was blessed to have had his friendship! Prayer for the family.
Bryon was a dear friend. He was always fun and funny! So many great times from grade school on up! We were grateful to be able to attend the funeral. Our love to all of you.
Rick and Michelle
So sorry to hear of the loss of Bryon. A loss to our Class of 67, Rigby High School, a big loss as our memories were of a fun loving, kind classmate that treated everyone the same. Truly a loss to all.
I am so sorry to hear of Bryon’s passing. I got a crush on him the day I met him. I was in first grade he was in second grade. It lasted a lifetime. I’m so sorry for his family he was proud of. I hope they all find peace and know the love he had for them.
Marsha Giles