Tim Lyles

Ernest Timothy (Tim) Lyles, 66, of St Paul, MN passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025 at his home. Tim was born on October 15, 1958 in Jackson, MS, where he spent much of his childhood. His teen years were spent in Germantown, TN where he directed a jazz ensemble at his high school. He received a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Music and Media from the University of Memphis, also attending Berklee College of Music in Boston as part of his undergraduate studies. He received his Masters in Guitar Performance during his 14 year tenure as a teacher at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul.

During his over 40 year career as a performing musician, Tim played in diverse venues ranging from Orchestra Hall, the Fine Line Music Cafe, and the Chanhassen Dinner Theater to outdoor music festivals, VFWs and church services. In every setting, large or intimate, he brought the same great energy and joy as well as his signature humor. Teaching was Tim’s greatest love, and he was a cherished teacher and mentor at McNally Smith and for all his private students at the many locations where he taught for decades. He was a great supporter of up and coming musicians as well as established veteran artists.

In addition to his teaching and performing career, Tim was a talented producer/arranger and session musician in different recording studio settings in the Twin Cities. In his earlier career, he worked as a television engineer at KMSP-TV for three years, and on the video crew for the A & E Cable Network’s Guthrie Theater’s “A Christmas Carol”.

Tim was a man of integrity, quiet faith, and generosity, held in high regard and loved greatly by students, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and family. He is predeceased by his parents, Elva and Scott Lyles. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia (Pat) Prendeville Lyles, his daughters Rachel Lyles and Michelle Hillestad (Luke), his two grandchildren, Týr and Rosetta Hillestad, his older brother Doug Lyles (Mary), his older sister Vicki Robinson (Craig), his younger sister Lee Sickmen (Ken), and many loved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was greatly loved by his wife’s family.

An announcement regarding a celebration of Tim’s life will be posted on his Facebook page. This is still in the planning stages and will hopefully take place in the first couple of weeks in June. Also to be announced will be a designated way to honor Tim’s memory. His family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and honor for Tim.