Byron Ivan Moats passed away in April at home, in Napa, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born April 10, 1942, in Richmond, Calif., to Ivan and Juanita (Province) Moats, who settled in Napa in 1956. He attended Redwood Junior High and graduated from Napa High School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart Julia McCord, daughter of J.V. and Melba (Clem) McCord, at First Christian Church on June 16th, 1962.

After graduating from San Jose Bible College in 1967, he entered the ministry and pastored several  congregations before returning to Napa to lead the Napa Valley Christian Church in 1979. He ministered there for more than 25 years, retiring in 2006.

He found great joy in leading others to Christ, and was blessed to have made many friends along the way. He will be remembered for his great love for people and his tremendous sense of humor.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, long time Napa residents, Ivan and Juanita Moats.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Julia Moats; his brother Wyatt Moats (Marjorie), of Addison, Texas; his children, Lynnette Moats, of Durham, N.C., Trenton Moats (Tammy) , of Milwaukee, Wis. and Christopher Moats (Kim), of Truckee, Ca., his adopted daughter, Marganit Alvarez of Sacramento; and his grandchildren, Julie Ann Madding, and Bethany, Sarah, Jacob, Colby, Zachary, and Jessica Moats.

A celebration of his life will be at 1pm., on Saturday, May 5th, 2012, at the Yountville Community Church, 6621 Yount St., Yountville, Ca.