Robert Franklin Lyons Sr.

Robert Franklin Lyons Sr. was born November 20, 1945, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Preston Allen Lyons Jr. and Luebirda (Lacey) Lyons. He departed this life, at the age of 79, on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Parkview Hospital surrounded by family.

Robert attended Central High School in Fort Wayne until he decided to pursue other goals such as traveling, working, and starting a family.

Robert worked in the many family businesses that allowed him to travel to New York and beyond. He also was an entrepreneur with ownership of several properties, a couple pool halls that were the “talk of the town” and a BBQ restaurant with his wife. Robert drove PTC City Bus and later in his life Robert worked road construction with E&B paving and was a member of Union 213 until he retired to care for his wife Jackie. His favorite pastime was grilling BBQ with his “famous” sauce for family and friends to come together to enjoy. Robert was the “Ultimate Entertainer” and knew how to bring families near and far together for some good food, music, and making memories with his video camara or the latest fade such as the Laser Disc. Robert was also known as the family historian and collected many family memorabilia over the years.

Robert started his family with two daughters, Pazinia and Palethia Oliver. He later married the late Lilly Turner Lyons and three children came from that union, Robert Jr. “Monkey”, Tony and Nicole Lyons. He later married the late Jacqueline Harris Lyons in 1980 and became the devoted father to her daughter Shona. This union lasted 34 years until the death of Jackie in 2014 from cancer. Robert and Jackie will always be remembered as a “Fun-Loving” couple that loved and cared for so many families and friends, and they traveled all over to share their love with family and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by both parents Preston and Luebirda Lyons; his brothers, Paul, Preston III “Pal”, and Larry Lyons; one sister, Myla Lyons; one great granddaughter, Nya Lyons, and his beloved wife, Jacqueline Lyons.

He leaves to cherish is memory, one sister, Margaret Lyons; six children, Pazinia (Phillip) and Palethia Oliver, Robert Jr. (Gina), Tony, and Nicole (Tommy) Lyons, and Shona (Cory) Kirkpatrick; a special daughter, April Woods, nine grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

A visitation for Robert will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Kingdom Door Christian Worship, 1004 E Pontiac St, Fort Wayne, IN 46803. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00 pm.