John David Lyon Jr.

Jack was born to John D. Lyon, Sr. and Estella G. (Tamblyn) Lyon December 8, 1938 in Yakima, Washington. He went home to be at his Savior’s side March 20, 2013 after a very brief stay at the Cottage at the Meadow Hospice Care Center.

Jack was raised in Yakima and attended Franklin Junior High School and graduated from the final class of Yakima High School in 1957.

Jack married his high school sweetheart Janice M. Engen, December 27, 1959 at Central Lutheran Church in Yakima, Washington. They enjoyed a happy and supportive marriage for 53 years that was a shining example to their children and grandchildren. Jack was a long-time member of Central Lutheran Church, serving as council member, lectionary and usher during his membership.

Jack attended Yakima Valley Community College and the University of Oregon prior to graduating from Central Washington University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both History and Education. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Central Washington University.

Jack and Janice lived in Renton, WA for five years, where Jack was employed with The Boeing, Co. During that time, Jack traveled to both Germany and Japan for his job, and those experiences had great influence in his life. In 1968, Jack and Janice returned to the Yakima Valley where Jack taught at Franklin Junior High School and Eisenhower High School over a 32-year career. He retired in 1998. During his teaching career Jack also coached football and basketball.

Jack and Janice raised two sons, Kenneth S. and David K. in Yakima and enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting upland birds and spending time at the beach. Jack had a particular love of nature and spent numerous hours hiking through Central Washington collecting butterflies and various plants. Many of these were featured in stained-glass and calligraphy that Jack enjoyed making over the years.

The greatest joys in Jack’s life were the relationships he shared with his wife, family and friends. Jack and Janice enjoyed memorable trips to Washington, D.C., the Oregon Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, and cross country road trips to Illinois. Jack will be remembered for his intelligence, enthusiasm, and great curiosity about the world and people around him. He was well-read, artistic, and sentimental. In his later years of declining health, Jack modeled an attitude of good grace, living well despite his limitations.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Janice; son and daughter-in-law David and Tharon (Pruss) Lyon of Bend, Oregon; daughter-in-law Michelle (Barnhart) Lyon of Lake Villa, Illinois; grandchildren Alexander J. Lyon and Johanna M. Lyon of Bend, OR., and Tyler S. Lyon and Morgan E. Lyon of Lake Villa, IL.; brother Jerry D. Lyon of Port Angeles, Washington; two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, four nephews and three nieces. He was preceded in death by son Kenneth S. on February 20th, 2013; parents John D. and Estella G. Lyon, brother LeRoy A. Lyon, and sister-in-law Kristin (Engen) Laffoon.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4 pm, Friday, April 5, 2013, at Central Lutheran Church, 1604 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA. Memorials in his name may be made to Central Lutheran Church.