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On Saturday July 10, 2021, noted Oklahoma musician, loving husband, father, and grandfather Byron Douglas Berline passed away at the age of 77. Byron was born July 6, 1944 in Caldwell, KS to Elizabeth and Lue Berline.
Byron was raised in a musical farm family and began learning to play the fiddle from his father at the age of 5. He was gifted in athletics as well as music and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma where he played football and track, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Physical Education. It was while he was in college at OU that he met his wife Bette. Byron also served in the US army from 1967 – 1969.
Byron’s musical career began in earnest in 1964 when he recorded an album with The Dillards. Just a few years thereafter he became a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys. The Berlines relocated to Los Angeles, California where he was in great demand as a studio musician, recording for dozens of artists including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, etc. He also did commercials and television shows as well as extensive movie score work and appeared in several movies. Byron played in several bands of his own and recorded a dozen solo albums earning three Grammy nominations.
Byron and Bette moved back to her hometown of Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1995 where he established his Double Stop Fiddle Shop and Music Hall. All sorts of musicians and pickers were known to stop in for a jam, including Mumford and Sons. His influence was the impetus behind the founding of Oklahoma's International Bluegrass Festival which is held annually in Guthrie in early October.
More than just a musician, Byron was a friend to all. He mentored, encouraged, befriended, advised and donated his time and his resources to anyone who approached. He just knew how to make everyone feel special!
Byron and Bette attended First United Presbyterian Church and was deeply involved in the Guthrie community. His hobbies included trading and collecting instruments, playing golf, jamming, spending time with family and friends and recently writing fiddle tune after fiddle tune. His latest triple CD release contains 63 of his own original compositions.
He is preceded in death by his father Lue and mother Elizabeth, brothers Henry and Leonard, and sister Eleanor. He is survived by his wife, Bette, daughter Becca, and son-in-law Colin O’Connor, grandchildren Brighton, Coralie, Ginger and Elke and his sister Janice Byford.
We have been touched by the outpouring of love and inquiries about the memorial service. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at the First United Presbyterian Church (102 E. Noble Ave., Guthrie, OK) with Pastor Amy Rogers officiating. Services are under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home.
Seating will be limited due to the size of the sanctuary at Byron and Bette's home church. A live stream will be set up in the Fellowship Hall adjacent to the main building to provide additional seating. You may also stream the service through the church's Facebook page using this link: www.facebook.com/FUPGuthrie. There will also be the opportunity to honor Byron's life and legacy at the bluegrass festival in October.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the OIBF (Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival) Scholarship Fund (PO BOX 1585, Guthrie, OK 73044-1585 or https://www.oibf.com/scholorships/).
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.hayesfh.com.
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