Byford Elwonger

George Byford Elwonger passed away on July 16, 2025 at the age of 99 years in Kansas City, Missouri.

Byford was born on October 31, 1925, to George S. and Mayme A. (Critchfield) Elwonger on a farm near Pawnee City, Nebraska. He graduated from Dawson High School in Dawson, Nebraska, in 1943. In January 1945, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he served until the end of World War II. In 1948, he graduated from Chillicothe Business College. Through these experiences he learned to become a successful business man, operating and owning a motel, managing a Ford dealership, and other business ventures. He also served as Nebraska President of the hotel/motel association, State President of the Nebraska Jaycees, and served as Vice. President of the U.S. Jaycees. Later in life, he was inducted into the world Jaycee Hall of Leadership in Washington D.C.

Byford married Evelyn (Brown) Elwonger in July, 1948 and later divorced in 1974, but the greatest gifts God gave him through this union was his three children, Karen, Diane, and John.

He was also active working in many community and fraternal organizations. These included the Auburn Board of Public Works, The United Methodist Church, Toastmasters, and Rotary. He was a member of the American Legion as well as the Masonic Lodge and Shriners for more than 65 years.

In December, 1974, Byford married Patricia Clements. They operated a bookkeeping business in Auburn until moving to Hawaii in 1979. In 1981, they settled in a suburb of Phoenix where Pat and Byford continued their business ventures. Upon Pat’s passing in 2003 he continued his business pursuits with the help of friends, especially Lucille. In 2015, Byford sold his business and moved to Missouri to be closer to family. He spent his final years in an assisted living facility in Overland Park Kansas.

Byford is survived by his three children, Karen Carns of Atlantic, Iowa, Diane (Dennis) Junge of Overland Park, Kansas, and John (Sharon) Elwonger of Summerfield, North Carolina, five grandchildren, Ryan, Christen, Laura, Brian, and Owen, and five great grandchildren, Oliver, Avery, Madelyn, Harper, and Emma. Also surviving are step-children Linda Catlett, Wesley Clements, Mark Clements and special friend and classmate, Lucille Weatherfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a toddler sister, Esther Mary, his wife, Patricia, son-in-law, John Carns, and step-son Glenn Clements.

A memorial service will take place at Hemmingsen’s Funeral Home in Auburn, Nebraska at 11:00 AM on July 26, 2025, with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service, and reception following. Burial to follow in the Pawnee City Cemetery in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Luke’s Hospice House of Kansas City, MO or Shriners Hospital for Children.