Vernon Kenneth Lyman

Vernon Kenneth Lyman of Kersey, Colorado, turned 100 years old, on Thursday, May 26, 2016. He was born May 26, 1916 in Saint Francis, Kansas, to Roger Edison Lyman, and Dorothy Henrietta (Moore) Lyman. He attended school in Otis, Colorado and Saint Francis, Kansas graduating from the 8th grade.

After graduation Kenneth worked a year on a dairy farm in Deertrail, Colorado and then he went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Kansas. The CCC Camp “is a sweet place for a boy to learn’. A public work relief program that operated form 1933-1942 for young men ages 18-23 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It provided jobs related to conservation and development of natural resources during the Great Depression. The boys received shelter, clothing, and food along with a small wage of $30 a month, $25 of which had to be sent home to their families. They planted trees, constructed parks, learned to fight forest fires and built public roads in remote areas. By 1942 war broke out and the draft took most of them to serve in the armed forces.

Kenneth enlisted in the Army Air Corps, November 4, 1942. He was first stationed at Camp Crowder, Signal Corps, in Crowder ,Missouri, for 7 months, where he studied as a teller repairman, learning telephone and telegraph communications. This was a 13 week course. Studies included operation, repair and installation of telephone and telegraph lines. He assisted in setting up camp and field communications in Africa during World War II, where as a Sergeant, he fell from a 30 foot light pole breaking his back. He also had a bout with Collara and Yellow Fever while there. He was sent to Ft. Logan, Colorado, where he was Honorably discharge February 18, 1946. Mr. Lyman received many medals during his service among them the Victory Medal, American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African Medal and others. Kenneth was also the Commander of VFW Post 6624, Evans, Colorado.

After returning to the states Kenneth farmed in Altus, Oklahoma and the LaSalle and Kersey, Colorado area. He had purchased a dairy farm in 1960 and sold the cattle in 1980, then sold the farm in 1990 when he moved into the town of Kersey.

On August 30, 1941 Kenneth married, Zelda A. Breninger, of Kansas, she passed away June 16, 1969. On May 16, 1970, he married, Lena P. Coffey of Altus, Oklahoma, she also passed away, April, 1998. Kenneth later married, Lorraine Blehm of Kersey, Colorado, on August 16, 1998, come August 16 of this year they will have been together 17 wonderful years. No children were born to any of his marriages, however, Lorraine had 4 children by a previous marriage. They now enjoy the company of 16 grand-children, 33 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren. He also owned property in Mission, Texas where they would spend the winter months until he sold it in 2007.

Kenneth was the oldest of 7 children, Virgil O., Anita Pauline, Theodore (Ted) L., Leo L., Louise and Bruce. Leo lives in Apple Valley, California, Louise Moore and Kenneth live in Kersey, Colorado. All the rest, are deceased. The boys all served in the war and all of them returned home. He also lived through 17 Presidents starting with Woodrow Wilson.

Kenneth has been a long time member of Westview Church of Christ and has faithfully supported the Longmont Childrens Home. He resided at Centennial Nursing Home in Greeley. A celebration in honor of his life was held, Sunday May 29, 2016 at Westview Church of Christ, 4151 W. 20th St., Greeley.

Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel from 5-7 p.m. A Memorial service is planned for at the Westview Church of Christ on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers a memorial offering can be made to the Westview Church of Christ, the Longmont Mountain States Boys Home, or the Kersey Senior Center in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.