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Tommy Byars
Byars on a 1952 K model Harley-Davidson
BornJesse Tommy Byars, Sr.
(1928-12-28)December 28, 1928
Died(2017-02-22)February 22, 2017
Bike number63

Jesse Tommy Byars, Sr., known as Tommy Byars (December 27, 1928 - February 22, 2017)[1] was an American professional motorcycle racer and motorcycle dealer.

Early life

[edit]

Byars was the son of Katy Elphám Cole and Henry Raymond Byars, also known as Ray Byars. He was a resident of Beaumont, Texas, where he owned and operated the Harley Davidson and Suzuki Dealerships. Byars' father, Ray Byars, opened his first business in 1918 where it evolved over three years into the first Harley-Davidson dealership of East Texas.[2] Byars grew up in the motorcycle business, spending his youth in his father's bicycle/motorcycle shop. Byars began racing bicycles at 12 years old and advanced to racing motorcycle in his teens.[3][4]

Racing career

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Byars (2nd from right) standing with friends.
Byars (2nd from right) standing with friends.

Byars began his racing career in the mid-1940s. By 1944, Byars was assisting his father in refereeing and time keeping for motorcycle races.[5]

Byars earned his Expert license, #63, through the American Motorcycle Association early in his racing career, during the heyday of Flat Track and TT Steeplechase dirt racing, riding alongside Caroll Resweber,[6][7][8] Joe Leonard[9] and Bobby Hill.[10][11]

Byars started attending Harley Davidson schools for mechanics when he was about 17 years old. When the new Harley Davidson K model was introduced, Byars, being a factory-sponsored Harley rider, was issued one of the new models. He was one of the first six riders to be issued the new K model in 1951 before it was released on the market in 1952. Byars raced in numerous events and won several state and national titles, such as the Southwestern Championship,[12] the Texas State Championship,[13][14] and the Milwaukee National 5-mile race. Byars became known as the "Beaumont Hornet" after winning the Texas State Championship of the Houston Hornets.[15][16] After winning the Southwest flat track motorcycle title in Houston, Byars respectively became the "Man to Beat".[17]

Byars was ranked among the most popular men riders in the United States, rated top in numerous articles nationwide. If he was not winning the race, he was placing in the top 5 most of the time.[18][19][20] He was unceasingly racing throughout the nation in state and national events and constantly making news. Such events included: Nashville, Tennessee;[21] Shreveport, Louisiana;[22][23][24][25][26] Sturgis, South Dakota;[27] Springfield, Illinois;[28] and Daytona Beach, Florida.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35]

By 1957, Byars' Harley Davidson dealership required his undivided attention. Although his racing career ended, he continued in the racing industry by mentoring both of his sons, Tommy Byars,Jr.[36][37] and Robert "Bubba" Byars,[38] in road racing, drag racing and flat track racing in the 1970s.[39]

Business career

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Byars was the heir of his father’s business where he owned and operated the Harley Davidson dealership in Beaumont, TX. Byars literally grew up in the business, spending his youth repairing, riding and racing bicycles and motorcycles.[40][41]

In the 40s, while working in his father’s shop, Byars was seriously burned in an explosion. When he went to clean the grease from his hands, he grabbed a bucket of what he thought was kerosene that had been accidentally replaced with gasoline by his mother. Byars carried the bucket with him to the bathroom and poured the fluid on his hands where the fumes from the gasoline ignited by a pilot light on a nearby hot water heater causing an explosion. He was taken to Hotel Dieu Hospital in Beaumont, TX where he was treated and hospitalized for his burns.[42][43]

Byars was at the height of his racing career in 1952 when his father died.[44] After inheriting the business from his father, the dealership became more demanding of Byars’ attention; however, Byars continued to share his time between operating the dealership and professionally racing throughout the nation for several years. In 1957, the business was legally transferred into Byars’ name after his father's estate was settled.[45][46] Byars’ business demanded his undivided attention; therefore, Byars was forced to retire from his racing career. Byars continued to sell Harley Davidson motorcycles throughout the 50s, 60s and early 70s and later adding Suzuki motorcycles to his business, advertising as Byars Harley Davidson-Suzuki.

In 1973, Byars invested in a new enterprise in the marketing of his motorcycles. Since Suzuki motorcycles were more equitable and becoming more popular for marketing, Byars relinquished his entire assets of the Harley Davidson dealership and contracted with the Suzuki manufacturers, organizing a new cooperation, Suzuki, INC., of Beaumont. Byars continued to own and operate his business until he retired in the late 80s.[47]

Awards and recognition

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Daytona 200 monument with Byars' name carved in stone.
The Daytona 200 Monument Wall with "Tommy Byars No.63" carved in stone.

In 1999, Byars was inducted into the Daytona Motorcycle Hall of Fame. In his latter years, he was invited for autograph signings to many racing events in recognition of former state and national champions.[48][49] In March 2002, the Daytona 200 monument was built and presented to the City of Daytona Beach by the people and various companies to preserve the memories of the original riders that raced on the beach at Daytona. Byars' name is carved in stone at this monument.[50]

Personal life

[edit]

Byars married Joyce Ratcliff, the daughter of Viola Walsh and Midlredge B. Ratcliff; they had two sons, Jessie Thomas Byars, Jr., born September 30, 1949,[51] in Beaumont and Robert Wayne "Bubba" Byars, born October 3, 1951, in Beaumont.[52] Byars left 5 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.[1]

Besides his main occupation of racing and selling motorcycles, Byars was interested in other competitions, such as boat racing[53] and big game hunting.[1]

After a long illness, Byars died at Harbor Hospice on February 22, 2017, in his home town of Beaumont.[54][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Jesse Tommy Byars, Sr". Broussard's Mortuary. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "Harley Davidson Dealer Ray Byars". The Beaumont Enterprise. September 9, 1931. p. 5 – via GenealogyBank.
  3. ^ "350 Cyclists Take Part in Safety Circus, Prizes". Beaumont Journal. June 13, 1940. p. 13 – via GenealogyBank.
  4. ^ "350 Cyclists Flag Day Observance, First Prizes". Beaumont Journal. June 14, 1940. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
  5. ^ "Eight Races Held at Turning Basin, Assistant Time Keeper". Beaumont Journal. September 4, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved October 9, 2022 – via GenealogyBank.
  6. ^ "Cycle Entries Topped by Resweber, Leonard". The Milwaukee Journal. August 11, 1957. p. 50 – via GenealogyBank.
  7. ^ "Legends, continued from page 1". The News Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 6, 2000. p. 2 – via GenealogyBank.
  8. ^ "Fan Turnout to see racing 'Legends'". The News Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 6, 2000. p. 1 – via GenealogyBank.
  9. ^ "Here's Today's Entry List For Motorcycle Card". Illinois State Journal and Register. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 1955. p. 20 – via GenealogyBank.
  10. ^ "Beaumont Motorcyclist to Race in Florida Classic". Beaumont Journal. March 9, 1955. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
  11. ^ "Byars Captures Cycle Feature". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. June 6, 1955. p. 12 – via GenealogyBank.
  12. ^ "Local Cyclist Replaces Ex-Beaumonter as SW Champ". Beaumont Enterprise. October 29, 1953. p. 48 – via GenealogyBank.
  13. ^ "Bike Aces Arrive Here for Big Race". San Mateo County Times. July 23, 1954. p. 9 – via GenealogyBank.
  14. ^ "Texas Cycle Champ to Race at Meadows". San Francisco Chronicle. July 23, 1954. p. 20 – via GenealogyBank.
  15. ^ Linder, Cy (January 1956). "Piston Poppin'". American Motorcyclist. Houston, Texas. p. 19.
  16. ^ "Views In The News-Tommy Byars (63) Barrels his Harley Davidson across the finish line to win the Southwest Championship race". American Motorcyclist. Shreveport, Louisiana. January 1955. p. 35 – via GenealogyBank.
  17. ^ "Byars is Rated 'Man to Beat' for State Fair Cycle Honors". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 27, 1953. p. 15 – via GenealogyBank.
  18. ^ "Official Results 9 Mile National Championship". American Motorcyclist. Milwaukee, WI. October 1955. p. 29.
  19. ^ "Popular Men Riders". American Motorcyclist. America. April 1955. p. 38.
  20. ^ "Byars Rated 'Man to Beat'". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 27, 1953. p. 15.
  21. ^ "Tommy Byars Here for Motorcycle Races". Nashville Banner. August 30, 1952. p. 10 – via GenealogyBank.
  22. ^ "50 Motorcyclist Scheduled to Race in Events Here Today, One of Nation's Best, Tommy Byars". The Times. Shreveport, LA. September 6, 1953. p. 19.
  23. ^ "40 Riders in State Fair Event". The Times. Shreveport, LA. October 22, 1955.
  24. ^ "Motorcycle Champions to Race Sunday, Tommy Byars, four-time Texas State and Southwest Champion". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. May 31, 1956 – via GenealogyBank.
  25. ^ "Southwest Regional Cycle Races Booked". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 22, 1957 – via GenealogyBank.
  26. ^ "Motorcycle Races Slated Today at Fair Grounds". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. July 17, 1949 – via GenealogyBank.
  27. ^ Edeburn, Carl (2003). "Sturgis: The Story of the Rally". Sturgis, South Dakota. p. 110 – via Google Books.
  28. ^ "Today's Entry List For Motorcycle Card". Illinois State Journal and Register. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 1955 – via GenealogyBank.
  29. ^ "Entries for 100-mile Daytona Beach Race Saturday". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. March 11, 1949 – via GenealogyBank.
  30. ^ "Motorcycle Racer, Expert From Beaumont, Texas". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. January 16, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
  31. ^ "Motorcycle Races Sunday at Gulfcoast Speedway". Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. May 15, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
  32. ^ "New Mark Set in Cycle Races, Tommy Byars, High Money Winner". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. June 8, 1953 – via GenealogyBank.
  33. ^ "Byars Cops Cycle Race". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. April 26, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
  34. ^ "Cycle Title Up For Grabs". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. October 20, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
  35. ^ "Cycle Races at Fort Worth". Times Record News. Wichita Falls, Texas. May 8, 1954 – via GenealogyBank.
  36. ^ "Light Weight Class Winners in Victory Lane". Datona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona, FL. March 11, 1971 – via GenealogyBank.
  37. ^ "Daytona Classics, Tommy Byars, Jr. wins 1st Place". American Motorcyclist. Daytona, Florida. May 1971 – via GenealogyBank.
  38. ^ "It's 'Run What You Brung' Amateur Day". American Motorcyclist. Daytona, Florida. May 1975 – via GenealogyBank.
  39. ^ "Results of 100 Mile Experts/Juniors Combined". AMA News. Datona International Speedway. March 8, 1975 – via GenealogyBank.
  40. ^ "350 Cyclists Take Part in Safety Circus, Prizes". Beaumont Journal Newspaper. Beaumont, TX. June 13, 1940. p. 5.
  41. ^ Beaumont Journal (June 14, 1940). "350 Cyclists Flag Day Observance, First Prizes". Beaumont Journal Newspaper. Beaumont, TX. p. 15.
  42. ^ "Tommy Byars Burned Friday". Beaumont Journal. Beaumont, TX. November 28, 1941. p. 9.
  43. ^ "Town Talk, condition of Tommy Byars". Beaumont Journal. Beaumont, TX. November 29, 1941. p. 2.
  44. ^ "Ray Byars, 53, Lifelong City Resident Dies". Beaumont Journal. Beaumont, TX. November 21, 1952. p. 2.
  45. ^ "Online Real Estate Records, Affidavit of Identify". Jefferson County Clerk Web Access. No. 9509773. Beaumont, TX. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  46. ^ "Jefferson County Real Estate records". Jefferson County Clerk Web Access. Beaumont, TX. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  47. ^ "Legal Notice News". Beaumont Journal. Beaumont, TX. April 30, 1973. p. 24.
  48. ^ Graham, Joy (September 7, 2011). "1999 Daytona Beach Hall of Fame Inductee, Tommy Byars". The Vidorian Shopper. Vidor, TX.
  49. ^ "1999 Framed Autographed Motorcycle Racing Greats". Mecum Auctions Road Art. Las Vegas, NV. 2021.
  50. ^ "Legends". The News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. March 6, 2000.
  51. ^ "Stork News". Beaumont Journal News. Beaumont, TX. October 1, 1949.
  52. ^ "Stork News". Beaumont Journal News. Beaumont, TX. October 3, 1951.
  53. ^ "Fast Craft Enter Neches Boat Clubs's Summer Regatta Sunday". Beaumont Journal Newspaper. Beaumont, TX. July 12, 1940.
  54. ^ "Jesse Thomas Byars, Sr. Obituary". Beaumont Enterprise. Beaumont, TX. February 26, 2017.
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