Byron Lee Sides

Recently myself and many others lost a great friend. He was the kinda guy that you just couldn’t help but love and want an awesome hug from. He had a great heart, and even though he didn’t always do things that would considered “morally right” in todays society, he would be there for you if you ever needed him. Byron Lee Sides drowned Monday afternoon at Red Top Mountain. This is the complete story witnessed by his best friend Chris Boyle……………

“We’ve all decided that it would be best if I tell everyone what actually happened at the lake, so that no rumors or false stories can get spread.

Yesterday Eli, Kim, Byron, Justyne, Jessica, Sally,and myself decided that we should go to the lake. Byron drove one car, and Jessica drove the other. On the way there we were just having a regular fun time. I kept complaining about how slimy the lake would be and Eli was screaming at me about how many people have been in the Planter’s pool. Like the way stuff always is: really, really fun.

We went to Red Top Mountain Beach by the Big Rock. We were just scoping out what we were going to do, and no one really wanted to jump off the Rock, so Byron spotted an island in the middle of the lake and thought we should swim there. Sally said she tried it once and she got halfway and then just floated because she was so tired, and that her dad had to come by with his boat to pick her up. So we decided it would be best not to make a straight shot to the island.

A few of us pointed out that we could swim a lot less further if we walked around the bank and swam across a 1st channel to the other side, then from the that side to the island. So we dropped our towels and keys off at the Big Rock and started walking through the woods to the shortest distance of water. On our way there we were still just joking and having a good time. Oddly enough we were saying things like “Whose the first to drown?” “NOT IT!” Sally actually lost…

When we got there we dropped our shoes and got in. As soon as we got in everyone started complaining about how slimy the water was. I couldn’t help but saying “told you so” So we all just started heading to the other side, there was a small current in my opinion, but some of the others said it was a little stronger than that. Eli was in the lead, and I was last. Sally was right in front of me, and Byron was in front of Sally. Everyone else was between Eli and Byron.

I decided I was going to take it slow and easy because I was very tired, because I haven’t slept for the past few days. Sally agreed with me and both of us slowly made our way to the other side. Around half way across the lake, Sally and I passed Byron, but I didn’t think much of it, because Byron was just doing his own thing and he hadn’t said anything. When Sally and I got about 3/4 the way done, Eli was getting on land, and everyone else was shortly behind him. That’s when I remembered Byron and I turned back around to see how far he had gotten. He hadn’t really moved and was just trying to float on his back and keep his head up.

We all started shouting “come on Byron!” but he replied “I can’t make it”

That’s when Sally and I turned back to help him, and when we got to him he kept going under and then coming back up. Everyone had pretty much stopped where the were to make sure Byron was okay. But Byron looked like he was getting tired. He was trying to remain as calm as he could, but I figured something bad might happen. I started swimming back to where we had started in hopes that Byron would follow. I tried to coach him on his back and to kick his feet but he wasn’t listening.

I turn back to the others and asked if I should call for help and they all said yes. I swam to shore as fast as I could, and when i got there I turned around to see Sally trying to pull him in my direction. I sprinted as fast as I could to the other side of the woods where I screamed for someone to call 911. I got their attention and I screamed for people to come help. A few guys started running in my direction so I turned back to see how Sally and Byron were. Sally was holding his hand and several times she went under with him, then she said she couldn’t hold on anymore, and that’s when Byron let go of her hand.

And then I looked and saw Byron go under and he didn’t come back up. Sally screamed “I can’t find him! He’s not here!!” and everyone still in the water started swimming to where we last saw Byron.

Everyone started diving under the water to search for him but it was pretty dark and murky, and it was impossible to see. I sprinted back to the other side and got the guys to come get in the water. I was actually counting the minutes in my head after he went under and it was around 4 or 5 minutes when the guys got in and started diving. A lot of people didn’t have much strength left, and I got on some guys phone with a 911 operator.

It had been around 10 minutes when Sally screamed she saw his hands in the water, but the guy closest to the spot said it was just a pinecone, but Sally and another kid saw both his arms.

Jessica was on shore in hysterics, and almost everyone couldn’t believe what just happened. He was just gone.

I sprinted as fast as I could back to where our keys to the car was, and by then EMS has arrived and were making their way down. I grabbed his phone, and some other things and called Byron’s mom to let her know. My parents called right after and they hurried to get there to.

Apparently they had to wait 30 or 40 minutes so that the dive team could get there from the next county over, because Bartow doesn’t have one.

Everyone was a mess and Eli made a lot of the calls to close friends.

It took approximately 3 or so hours to recover his body, but they did find it and I am thankful for that.

We all did our best, but there wasn’t anything we could do. Byron was trained to handle situations like this, so he knew what he had to do. He was perfectly fine before so I am not sure what had happened. There might have been and undercurrent or possibly he cramped.

I know everyone is in shock and in disbelief but Byron was an amazing person and friend. He always made me laugh and would do anything I needed him to (even drive me around for ages). I just hope you all will keep Byron’s mom and family in your prayers. I know he has to be smiling down on us now, and I feel as though he is still with me as I’m writing this.

I still can’t believe I’m saying this, but rest in peace Byron Sides. I’ll miss you more than you could ever imagine.”

Well there you have it. I hasd never thought about this situation happening to the lives of my friends and mine. Byron was the kind of guy that had held his friends dearly to his heart. I remember leaving school almost every day and getting a hug from him while I walked out the door, and immediately afterwards he would ask me if he could have a dollar. Byron, we will all miss you more than anyone could even imagine. You were a great friend to anyone and everyone you came in contact with and THATS what characterized you as a great and loving person. I love you dude…….

IF anyone would like to go to his viewing it will be at Parnick-Jennings funeral home from 3-6pm friday afternoon. Also, please keep all of Byrons friends and family in your prayers. He was his mother and fathers only baby, and God knows they’re going through a tough time.

—-Marcus