Lyle Russell McAuley

Lyle McAuley was a loving husband to Joy (Gaylord) for sixty-two years. He was a caring father to Cameron, Julie and David. He was also the happy grandfather of Ian (Gonzalez). For many years now, he has loved Jose Pablo Delgado as his own son.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents Adrian McAuley and Lucile (Smith), along with his sisters Louise (Darwin) Bowers and Ana Mae (Bob) Barber.

Lyle was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan, then attended college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He completed his college with a Bachelor’s in education with Math as his major and physical education as his minor. He further completed a Master’s in Education at Western Michigan. He started his career teaching math and coaching track at University High School in Kalamazoo for several years.

In 1965, Lyle moved with his wife and son to Saginaw where he taught at Douglas MacArthur and Heritage High Schools for almost 40 years. During his years at MacArthur, he also coached basketball for a few years and coached both track and cross-country for 30 years.

After his first “retirement” he went on to teach for an additional four years at a small Christian school in Argentina. While dad taught math at the school, his wife, Joy, taught a young student named Jose Pablo at their apartment. Upon their return to Saginaw, dad taught for six more years at Grace Christian School where he & mom helped Jose Pablo continue with his education in the United States. In total, he taught Algebra and Geometry for forty-nine years before his final retirement from the classroom at seventy-three years of age.

In 2011, Lyle and Joy moved to Virginia where they spent the last fifteen years. He and mom were fulltime grandparents who enjoyed many adventures around Virginia. Dad made friends easily and established himself in a new city. He joined a Sunday School class at Thomas Road Baptist Church and a weekly gathering for retired folks. He lifted weights five days a week at the YMCA for more than a decade - into his seventies and early eighties. He delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly folks and led old folks in Bible studies at retirements homes. He was not the greatest singer, but he sang from the heart as he led them in hymns.

In these past 19 months, it was a blessing to see him sing and enjoy the Bible studies provided by other servants at the retirement home where he resided.

He lived his life as someone who believed the Gospel. He took his children with him when he preached at the City Rescue Mission, volunteered for BINGO games at the local retirement home and attended church services weekly. He and mom regularly included new people into their home for meals and social occasions. While in Saginaw, dad was a board member of his local church, a youth group leader, and a Sunday school teacher. He was kind and thoughtful to everyone he met. The thousands of students & athletes he taught & coached over the years were always on his mind, even to the very last days of his life.

Dad lived to obey God and to serve others. His life was permeated by the Gospel. He read the Bible and prayed every morning. He brought his concerns and praises to God daily. His actions showed his deep belief in the existence of a God who loved him and a Savior who died for him. He believed that to be absent from this body was to be present with God, where he is today, and where we will join him someday soon.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with Pastor Scott Phillips officiating.

There will be an additional Memorial Service held in Michigan on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Bible Church, 5433 N. Center Rd, Saginaw Township, MI 48604, with Pastor Mark Hazen officiating.