Gary Byker was born on November 27, 1920 in Alvord, Iowa. He graduated from Calvin College with a major in history and did graduate work in public opinion and propaganda at Michigan States University. During World War II, Byker served four and a half years (two and a half years with the Thirty-fourth Infantry Division). He was wounded three times in combat in North Africa and Italy. He holds the Purple Heart with two clusters and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. Byker married Henrietta Blankespoor in 1944. They have six children. In addition to owning the Byker Realty Company, Byker was a member of the Ottawa County Board of Supervisors, the president of the Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Farm Bureau and Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Hudsonville Christian school board, and a member of the Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church. A republican, Byker was elected to the State Senate in February, 1968, to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Harold Volkema of Holland. He was re-elected in 1970 and in 1974.
From the description of Gary Byker collection. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 40427122
