Michael Byron Pyle

Michael Byron Pyle

October 4, 1937 – August 2, 2026

Michael Byron Pyle passed away peacefully at home in Exeter, California on August 2, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on October 4, 1937, in Visalia, California, to Hazel Gail (King) Pyle and Lewis Byron (“Barney”) Pyle. 

He was known to many as Mike and to his grandchildren as “Papa”.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce Louise (Price) Pyle; his daughter, Samara Christine (Pyle) Trimble, and her husband, Shaun Nicholas Trimble; and his grandchildren, Mylea Joy Trimble and Tyler Colton Trimble.

Mike grew up in Exeter, California, the town he called home for most of his life.  He graduated from Exeter Union High School in 1956. Not long after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for six years as a Corpsman.

After completing his military service, Mike returned to Exeter and attended College of the Sequoias before going to work for Exeter Electric. A few years later, he returned to College of the Sequoias and then transferred to Fresno State, where he earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Industrial Arts and Geology, along with a Secondary Teaching Credential. He taught for a short time before discovering that being responsible for a classroom full of kids simply wasn't for him. He left teaching, spent a stretch of time remodeling the first home he and Joyce owned together, and worked for Edison for a few years.

Mike and Joyce were married on August 16, 1969.  They were married just shy of 57 years at the time of his passing.

Mike eventually found his true calling managing the Hardware Department at the Exeter Mercantile, a role he held for the next 44 years. He became a familiar and well-known presence in Exeter, sought out not just for hardware advice and supplies but for good conversation and a good laugh. He was a regular at the downtown coffee shop before his workdays started. He built friendships everywhere he went and loved his work and the people in it so much that he continued working Sundays even after he officially retired.

Mike had a deep love for the outdoors. He spent many summers backpacking, winters skiing, and he carried a lifelong passion for photography, spending countless hours capturing the beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Some of his greatest joy came from sharing those places with his family.  Many memories were made on backpacking trips into mineral king, camping in big meadows with extended family and taking day trips into the parks, always with his camera in hand to preserve his favorite places and mountain scenery.

Mike always had snacks ready to share with many fond memories of him sneaking a Life Saver or Tic Tac from his coat pocket during church or breaking out the gummy worms and M&M's on road trips and hikes. His grandchildren remember many trails climbed on the promise of peanut M&M's, doled out step by step to keep small legs moving.

Mike had a quick wit and a genuine love of laughter. He joked easily with everyone and took great delight in pulling silly pranks and handing out funny cards for birthdays and holidays. He could also fix almost anything, and he did it in a way that was entirely his own. To this day, the family calls anything he built or repaired “Pylized,” and decades later, those Pylized projects give the experts a run for their money whenever something needs repair. It's classic Mike Pyle, and it will bring his family fond memories and laughter for years to come.

A private graveside service will be held for immediate family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

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