Byron Hideki Okada

Byron Hideki Okada died peacefully on Monday, June 17th of complications that resulted from a double lung transplant he received in 2021.

Byron was born in Brigham City on September 11, 1956. He grew up in Penrose, Utah, where he worked on the family farm. His favorite chore on the farm was driving tractors for the many tasks required. Working on the farm was where he began engineering ways to make jobs easier and more economical. After high school he attended Utah State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.

After college, Byron worked as an Electrical Engineer for Thiokol (now known as Northrop Grumman) for almost 40 years. Byron was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young adult and served in many positions, such as elders quorum secretary and financial/membership clerk for several bishoprics.

Byron enjoyed traveling, gardening, going to movies and camping, often sharing these experiences with his family.

He was most happy when assisting in the sound and lighting for various plays and productions which combined his love of music, technology, and engineering. He enjoyed helping his local ward and stake put on programs and productions over the years. For nearly 20 years, he used his expertise and love of programming and running the technical aspects of a production to contribute to the success of many performances held at the Old Barn Community Theatre. 

The Old Barn was his second home. You could find him there at all hours of the night setting up for upcoming plays. He loved getting the timing of the lights and sound perfect. When he was not there, he was working on tech scripts and formulating plans for how to improve the setup at the Theatre.

He loved technology and enjoyed all kinds of gadgets. He would design and build all sorts of things to make his life more efficient. Especially later in life, when his illness made it harder for him to get around, he engineered everyday items to help take care of himself and get things done.

He was very tenacious and liked to stay busy even after he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in 2019. After he was blessed to receive a double lung transplant, he strived to make the most of his renewed life. He pushed himself and was very active in helping and serving others for as long as he was able. He was a very warm and loving father and grandfather.

Byron is preceded in death by his father Beb Okada. He is survived by his daughters, Felicia Decker, Catherine (James) Meidell, Serena (Brian) Burton, Bonnie (Brian) Bunn, Sachiko Okada, 17 grandchildren, his loving mother Ila Okada, and his siblings Trudy (Ryan) Kamisato, Connie (Phillip) Sakashita, and Craig (Jessica) Okada.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 28 from 6:30-8:30 P.M. at Rudd Funeral Home- Tremonton (111 N 100 E- Tremonton, UT 84337).

The funeral will be held Saturday, June 29 at 11:00 AM with a brief viewing from 9:30-10:30 A.M. at the Thatcher LDS church (11475 W 10400 N- Tremonton, UT 84337). Interment will take place in the Penrose Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Old Barn Theatre. Venmo: @OldBarn-Theatre or visit oldbarn.org.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.