Lyle Lavern Millage

Louis left Lincoln in a Model “T” Ford and traveled to Los Angeles, California to find better work opportunities. Esther then traveled by train with Lyle, still a babe in arms, and his older brother Richard Wayne Millage, to join Louis in Los Angeles.

Lyle and Richard grew up in Fontana, Bloomington, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, California and Eugene, Oregon. Lyle graduated from San Bernardino High School with the class of 1949.

Lyle served in the United States Army Reserve from 1955-1963. After discharge Lyle followed heavy construction work with various contractors.

In 1959, Lyle and Margaret Teachenor married. They made their home in Cherry Valley, California. They were blessed with two sons, Daniel Millage who lost his life in a truck accident at the age of 30, and Mark Millage who lives in Florida. During their 52 year marriage, Lyle and Margaret were very active with the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Int. and Soroptimist Int. They served as President of all three organizations. Lyle’s beloved wife, Margaret, passed away in October 2010 in their home with Lyle by her side.

In 1970, the Millage family, with partner Pete Webster opened Alpen Equipment Rental and Millage and Sons in Beaumont, California. They operated the business for 18 years and the business remains open today as “All Purpose Rental.”

During the 70’s Lyle was known as the “SIGN MAN”. The electronic sign that is on the front of the Civic Center was changed him at the time. Lyle changed the message every week for several years until the city upgraded the sign to change electronically.

Lyle was a member of the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Rotary Club since 1973. He sponsored Richard Lemire into the Beaumont Rotary Club in 1982. Later Richard founded the Riverside East Rotary Club in 1987, and Lyle became the club’s Grandfather. Lyle was a wonderful friend and mentor to so many and sponsored countless Rotarians.

Lyle’s most rewarding project was obtaining and relocating the building that now houses the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. The building was originally located on Oak Valley Parkway and Beaumont Avenue, and housed Clancy Osborne Realty. The structure was purchased from Stater Brothers developers for $10.00, and the developers paid the $10.00. After hours of preparation, on a cold and windy night, the building was relocated down Beaumont Avenue to its present location. Shortly after the move there was a “Mortgage Burning” celebration. Special recognition is given to Lyle and Bruce Murrill with the assistance of the Interact Club and the entire local businesses and contractors who gave time and goods to see the project completed.

The Chamber of Commerce was later dedicated to Lyle and Plaques are in place to show appreciation for his devotion to the communities that he proudly served.

Lyle was named “Beaumont Citizen of the Year” in 2002, and I quote, “this was an easy selection for the board to make. Lyle’s contributions to the community has been unparalleled for many years.”

In September 2013, Lyle met Nadine Lowder at Grace Brethren Church. They began courting and married in June 2014. Lyle was welcomed into the family and loved as “PaPa Lyle” by daughter Brenda, six new grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. This marriage brought much happiness to both Lyle and Nadine after both had lost their previous spouse. Such a perfect love found late in life is a blessing to find, and their love was a shining example to others. Lyle was greatly loved and respected by his newfound family. It is a bond that passing cannot break.

At the time of Lyle’s passing, he was “Director Emeritus” on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a Charter Member of the Beaumont Police Volunteer Patrol which he founded in 1993 and faithfully served until 2/17/2017. Lyle served on the Career Tech Education Committee at Beaumont High School since it first started. Lyle was a chairman on the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital foundation board. Lyle traveled to the Philippines and helped raise $54,000 in matching grants for charitable causes to feed undernourished children and orphans. Lyle was honored by the Cherry Festival Association with the 2016 Heritage Award in recognition of his dedication, devotion, and commitment to the communities of Beaumont and Cherry Valley.

Attempting to summarize the life of a man so loved and admired by so many would take a book not a simple newspaper article. Lyle devoted his life to helping others and serving his community. The number of awards and recognition that he received are countless but I know he deserved them all.

King Lyle’s motto truly was “Service above self.”

A Memorial Service for Lyle will be held at the Albert Chatigny Center 1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, CA 92223 on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00am.

Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.