Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Byars' parents were Noel Randolph Byars (1908–2003), a Minden [[banker]] and a native of Bearden, [[Arkansas]], and the former Thelma Rowland (1909–2002). His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Joab Byars and the former Lucy Jane Chambliss. Byars, who is [[Baptist]], graduated in 1957 from Minden High School.<ref>Minden High School ''Grig'' yearbook, 1957.</ref> He married a Minden High School classmate, the former Cecilia Marie O'Rear (1940-2021).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232914632/cecilia-marie-byars|title=Cecilia Marie O'Rear Byars obituary|publisher=Findagrave.com|access_date=April 1, 2024}}</ref> The couple had three sons and a daughter, JoAnna, who was a Miss Minden contestant a few months prior to her father's election as mayor.<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' March 27, 1982, p. 1.</ref>

Byars' parents were Noel Randolph Byars (1908–2003), a Minden [[banker]] and a native of Bearden, [[Arkansas]], and the former Thelma Rowland (1909–2002). His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Joab Byars and the former Lucy Jane Chambliss. Byars, who was a [[Baptist]], graduated in 1957 from Minden High School.<ref>Minden High School ''Grig'' yearbook, 1957.</ref> He married a Minden High School classmate, the former Cecilia Marie O'Rear (1940-2021).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232914632/cecilia-marie-byars|title=Cecilia Marie O'Rear Byars obituary|publisher=Findagrave.com|access_date=April 1, 2024}}</ref> The couple had three sons and a daughter, JoAnna, who was a Miss Minden contestant a few months prior to her father's election as mayor.<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]],'' March 27, 1982, p. 1.</ref>

Byars received his bachelor's degree in education and his master's in school administration from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]. There he was a national and [[Arkansas]] state champion in archery.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' June 6, 1962.</ref> In 1970, he left a position in [[Bossier City]] as coordinator and regional consultant for the Northwest Louisiana Supplementary Education Center to become the director of data processing in education Region 18 in [[Lubbock]], [[Texas]].<ref>"People's Bank Names [Noel Randolph] Byars Vice-President", ''Minden Press-Herald'', June 13, 1973, p. 1.</ref> Byars indicated that he would work on a doctorate in education through [[Texas Tech University]] while he was living in Lubbock.<ref>"Noel Byars," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 25, 1970, p. 1.</ref>

Byars received his bachelor's degree in education and his master's in school administration from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]. There he was a national and [[Arkansas]] state champion in archery.<ref>''Minden Herald,'' June 6, 1962.</ref> In 1970, he left a position in [[Bossier City]] as coordinator and regional consultant for the Northwest Louisiana Supplementary Education Center to become the director of data processing in education Region 18 in [[Lubbock]], [[Texas]].<ref>"People's Bank Names [Noel Randolph] Byars Vice-President", ''Minden Press-Herald'', June 13, 1973, p. 1.</ref> Byars indicated that he would work on a doctorate in education through [[Texas Tech University]] while he was living in Lubbock.<ref>"Noel Byars," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' September 25, 1970, p. 1.</ref>