Kenneth Randall Byers, the son of Judy and the late Donald Byers, is known as Ken. He was born at the Baptist Easley Hospital on May 28, 1973. He was raised in the Glassy Mountain area of Pickens, where he still lives.

Ken attended Ambler Elementary, Pickens Middle and Pickens High School. He graduated in 1991.

After he graduated, he enlisted into the U.S. Army Medical Corp. He took his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. He was transferred to Fort Sam Houston Texas Academy of Health. Later, he was transferred to Fort Jackson, S.C., where he did advance individual training. From there, he was transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center, located at Fort Lewis, Wash. Six months later, he was transferred to Moncrief Community Hospital, and then back to Fort Jackson.

After his discharge from the armed service, Ken started working at Alice Manufacturing Company, where he was selected to receive a full scholarship to Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton. He earned an associate’s degree in industrial engineering, with a minor in textile management. He graduated with honors.

Ken was employed with Alice Manufacturing Company for 18 years. During that time, he held several positions, including foreman, process engineer, shift manager and department overseer.

Courtesy photo

After a stint in the military and 18 years working at Alice Manufacturing Company, Ken Byers is now the lead production coordinator at St. Jude Medical.

He left the company in 2014 and started working at GE Power and received a full scholarship to Greenville Technical College. He is now employed at St. Jude Medical. He is the lead production coordinator there.

Ken has three children — one daughter and two sons. He recently became a grandfather.

Ken’s talent is drawing and painting. He took art lessons while he was in service, stationed at Fort Lewis.

He is a good cook, and has a knack for baking. His favorite thing to bake is chocolate pecan pie.

He is also a beekeeper. He has three beehives that he tends. He likes the aroma of honey as it fills the air. He gives the honey he collects to friends and family.

Ken and his children thoroughly enjoy camping. They have camped at Destin, Fla., St. George Island, Fla. and Hunting Island, S.C.

Ken is currently engaged to Judi St. Clair from Toccoa, Ga. They have not set a date for the wedding, but they plan to get married soon.

Easley resident Carol Baker highlights interesting local residents and helps us get to know more about the fascinating people who call Pickens County home. If you have someone somewhere who you think people should know about, contact us at news@thepccourier.com.