The historic Bystle House in Old Shasta, California, still stands, yet after a struggle with complications from cancer, Dan Charles Bystle, a Shasta County native son of the pioneer Daniel Potter Bystle family, left us on July 20, 2014 at 2:20 p.m. at Mercy Hospital in Redding.
A student at Anderson High and graduate of Shasta High School, Dan was 65 when he passed.
Dan Bystle honorably served his beloved country as a sergeant in the United States Air Force Black Beret Special Forces, Red Horse Unit. He served in combat and under frequent fire in the Vietnam conflict. Dan enjoyed his brotherhood with the American Legion Post #746 in Cottonwood.
Dan was a co-founder and past president of the “Brothers in the Wind” motorcycle club of Shasta County. The club was known for being the first motorcycle club to organize the “Toy For Tots” drives that helped underprivileged kids and families at Christmastime.
He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman who knew Shasta County like the back of his hand. Dan was a passionate bluesman and harmonica player who was often seen sitting in with local music groups like “Backbone Jones,” “Fire Mountain Rock,” and “Left Hook”.
He was preceded in death by his parents Carmen Alicia Richmond and William Adolph Bystle, Jr., and brother Duane Dale Davis, all of Redding.
Dan is survived by his son Dan Bystle Jr., daughter-in-law Jenny Bystle, and granddaughter Danika Bystle, all of Redding. He is also survived by his siblings, sister Carmen Teresa Davis and brother Alan Ernesto Phillips, both of Redding and a sister, Elmer Lee Weber of Weed; as well as his uncle Russell Hansen and aunt Connie Hansen of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
If you knew and enjoyed Dan, as did his dear family and friends, come and celebrate the life and times of Dan Bystle Sr. on July 31 and August 1, 2014. Any donations received will be appreciated used for burial expenses.
The July 31 service will be held at 9 a.m. at McDonald’s Cemetery, 1201 Continental Street, in Redding. A United States Air Force contingent from Beale Air Force Base will honor Dan and his service with a formal military salute and the playing of taps. The service will be officiated by Mr. Don Leedy.
The memorial service will be held for Dan the following day, 6 to 9 p.m., Sat., Aug. 1, at the American Legion Hall, 4309 Vallecito Street in Shasta Lake City, California. Expect to celebrate Dan Bystle the way he would have wanted it: Loud and proud!
For more information, please feel welcome to call Dan’s family at respectable times during this time of great loss: Dan Bystle Jr. 530-515-7006 or Jenny Bystle at 530-999-1379.