Perry Donald Lyons, Jr was relieved of his duties in this world on November 2, 2025. He was known as Don or PD by his friends, family and associates. He is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Judith Barrineau Lyons (Judy), and his three children: Jeanie Lyons Meadors (Rick), Daniel Lyons (Marilou) and Kim Lyons Stamper (Travis). He lived a life of service to his family, his country and his Savior.
Don was born August 21, 1935 in Ooltewah, Tennessee. He was a proud 1953 graduate of Chattanooga City High School, where he played football and boxed in Golden Glove matches. After a postgraduate year at McCallie, where he played football and baseball, he attended the University of Louisville on a Naval ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps.
He was the rare Naval Aviator who flew both helicopters and jets, earning 35 air medals over two tours in Vietnam. He instructed student Naval Aviators and served as Commanding Officer of MATSS-901 in Memphis, TN. He retired at the rank of Major in 1979.
Don spent the remainder of his civilian life in Chattanooga, where he raised his family and worked for SELOX, Erlanger Hospital, and finally as Director of Transportation for Hamilton County Schools. In retirement, he drove a bus for GPS and volunteered at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, where he used to play as a child growing up on Bailey Avenue. Throughout his adult life, he was an avid jogger who enjoyed running in various local races. He won first place in the 80+ age category in the 5K for FCA Road Race in 2016.
These achievements and accomplishments pale in comparison to his service to his Lord Jesus Christ. He gave his life to Christ as a child and rededicated himself to the Lord during college. Since that time, he led a life of humility, service, integrity and love. He was ordained as a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church in Yuma, Arizona and served likewise at White Oak Baptist Church in Chattanooga. He also served the Lord through the ministries of Woodland Park Baptist Church since 1990. His most significant ministry, however, was to his family. He served as a leader, shepherd and role model for his children and grandchildren, ever pointing them toward Jesus and modeling the love of Christ to everyone he met. He was regarded as a godly man of faith; one who never spoke an unkind word about anyone. He took excellent care of his family with loving-kindness, wisdom and generosity. Always looking for a way to lend a hand, his final act on this Earth was to ask if there was anything he could do to help with dinner.
Don was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Smith Gregory, his stepfather, Hugh Hamilton Gregory, Sr, his father, Perry Donald Lyons, Sr, brothers Marion David Lyons, Albert Sidney Lyons, II, and Hugh Hamilton Gregory, Jr.
Along with his wife and children, he is survived by grandchildren Cameron Meadors, Kelly Meadors, Jared Lyons, Ama Stamper, Elias Stamper, Alex Lyons and Reece Lyons. He is also survived by his brother Winborn Gregory (Marilyn) and sisters Linda Gregory Higgins (John) and Loretta Lyons Warren (Ronald).
Visitation is on Tuesday, November 11th at Chattanooga Funeral Home on Highway 153, 4-6 PM, and on Wednesday, November 12th at Woodland Park Baptist Church from 11 to 12. Celebration service is at Woodland Park Baptist at noon, with Interment at the National Cemetery at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the General Fund at Woodland Park Baptist Church.
