Lyman Stuart Ehrlich

Lyman Stuart Ehrlich moved into his Heavenly Home on June 6, 2022, at the age of 90 after falling, breaking his hip, and spending a short time in the hospital. Lyman was born to Ezra Edward and Linda Ehrlich on July 6, 1931, in Follett, Texas.

During Lyman’s early life, his father Ezra and uncle Asaph owned a grocery store. Yet when the Depression hit and then the Dust Bowl, no one could pay for food. If neighbors had chickens they paid with eggs. Facing these realities, Ezra and Linda moved west around 1938 when Lyman was seven.

In Fresno, Lyman attended Jefferson Elementary School and, gifted in music, was often asked to fill in on whatever instrument was needed. He attended Fresno High School, excelling in football and playing trumpet in the concert band. His college years began as an athlete at Fresno City College before attending UCLA on a football scholarship. He returned to Fresno the summer of 1953 to finish college, eventually earning his degree in Marketing and Distribution. During that summer he met his future wife, Marlene Tolladay, on a blind date in the small foothill community of Sugar Pine, beginning a long love affair with not only Marlene, but the outdoors and mountains which she and her family introduced to him. They were married one week after their college graduations in 1955.

Initially Lyman worked for Fruehauf Trailer Corporation in Los Angeles then transferred to Fresno with the company in the sales division, and here daughter Valerie was born. He moved again with Fruehauf to Oakland where Julia was born. Next he was transferred to Spokane, Washington, in November, 1961, as manager of the Spokane branch of Fruehauf Trailers, and son Donn was born in December. The next exciting move came in 1966 when he accepted the General Manager position for Fruehauf Australasia, overseeing operations and new start ups across Australia and Asia. The family lived “down under” for five years, first in Sydney then Melbourne.

In 1970 Lyman and crew returned to California, landing in San Diego, where he worked as Marketing Manager for Rohr Industries in futuristic transportation such as mono cabs, trans-busses, and mono trains. In 1976, Fresno became home again, and here Lyman continued working in the transportation industry until forming his own business in 1985, TransCal Equipment Company, the Central Valley dealer for Great Dane Trailers. Retiring from full time work was difficult for him: he wanted to stay busy and had considerable energy and expertise in his field to give. So he worked several years part-time for Central Valley Trailer Repair, the current Great Dane dealer in the Valley.

No matter where Lyman moved, he sought out service to his local church, holding many leadership positions through the years including deacon, business manager, board chair, choir member, soloist, and—many times in the many places the family moved—choir director and song service leader. Mentoring and discipling others was a focus of his and his wife’s faith throughout their spiritual lives. Lyman was active in Christian Business Men’s Connection for over 40 years, meeting weekly and praying for those in need. He regularly sang with the West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus, and was always ready to fill in as choir director or song leader in church whenever there was a need. His faith was the bedrock of his life and his moral compass.

Lyman had wide ranging interests. He loved traveling both in the US and abroad and encouraged that same exploration and curiosity in his children, son Donn to this day making his home in London, England. He loved hunting and fishing throughout California, the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska. Marlene was the only one who gave him a challenge with rod and reel! He enjoyed sports throughout his life—working out, supporting his FSU Bulldogs, running for years, and playing golf, one time even making a hole in one! And always he loved music, whether listening, playing, or singing, including playing trombone in the local New Horizons Band, taking delight in sitting across from daughter Julie who plays clarinet. Since moving to the villas at The Vineyards, Lyman organized and led numerous songfests for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Christmas, and other special occasions.

Lyman devoted himself to his family and especially to his best friend, partner, and wife, Marlene. She and Julie were with him as he made his final move, peacefully, into his Savior’s arms.

Lyman is preceded in death by his parents Linda and Ezra, and sister Florine and husband Charles. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marlene, daughter Valerie and husband Steve Houk, daughter Julia and husband Bob Baisch, and son Donn Ehrlich.

His grandchildren are Greg Heckroth Baisch and wife Jill, and Kelsey Baisch-Martin and husband Roberto. He leaves many fine friends and extended family members as well.

A memorial service to share in remembering Lyman’s life and legacy will be held at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fresno (1540 M Street) on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. You are warmly invited to attend.

Remembrances in Lyman’s honor may be made to:

Fresno Mission

Attn: Linda Culver

PO Box 1422

Fresno CA 93716-1422

or online at

https://www.fresnomission.org

Central California Food Bank

4010 E Amendola Drive

Fresno, CA 93725

or online at

https://ccfoodbank.org/

First Presbyterian Church

1540 M Street

Fresno, CA 93721

The family would appreciate your thoughts and memories of Lyman—there is a link to do this online here at the Lisle Funeral Home site. Thank you so much.