George D. Lyons Jr., M.D.

George Dewey Lyons Jr, MD. passed away on October 6th, 2018 at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his adoring wife and lifelong partner of 64 years, Agnes Elizabeth (Betty) Lyons; his sons, George D. III and Michael; his daughters Shelley and Pamela; his 8 grandchildren Alexandra and Isobel Pribil, Timothy, Jack, George, Catherine, Olivia and Grace Lyons. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rose Bordelon Lyons; his father George Dewey Lyons; and his son Timothy Newell Lyons.

George was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, LA and retired to his family cypress farm in Houma, LA after Hurricane Katrina. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1946 and played flute and piccolo (first chair) in the band. He joined the Navy shortly after graduation.

He served in the Navy as a corpsman and returned to graduate from Southeastern University and LSU Medical School, where he completed a specialty in Otorhinolaryngology. While in private practice, he began teaching at LSU Medical School in New Orleans and ultimately became Professor and Department Head of Otorhinolaryngology and Biocommunication, a position he held for over 25 years, AKA “Chief”. George was a pioneer and recognized leader in the field of cochlear implants as well as interventional laryngeal and phono surgery.

Included in his academic and honorary achievements, George was an Emeritus Member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Laryngological Association; a Fellow of the American Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Society, the American Otological, Rhinological, and Laryngological Society, the American College of Surgeons, the Pan-American Society of Otolaryngology, the Society of University Otolaryngology; a Senior Member of the American Broncho-Esophageal Association, and the Triological Society. During his medical career, George is credited with over 150 medial publications.

George loved teaching and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and travel. He combined these passions to attend and teach at medical schools around the world, including universities and hospitals in Africa, Indonesia, South America, Asia, Russia and Europe. George pushed education and training in the field of Otorhinolaryngology tirelessly and always gave his all to those who sought knowledge.

George and his wife Betty were very active socially in New Orleans, participating in multiple social and philanthropic endeavors. He was a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, the Society of the War of 1812, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He helped form the Kam’s Foundation to help the hearing impaired and his favorite charity was St. Michael Special School.

George was a passionate big game and bird hunter. He enjoyed shooting clay target sports, as well. He had the philosophy that the best way to see a country, experience its culture and understand its people is through hunting in remote areas of the world. George was the founding President of the Louisiana Chapter of Safari Club International and an avid promoter of hunting. George bred, raised and showed several breeds of dogs during his life, but his favorite was hunting upland birds over his Brittany Spaniels. He was also a good angler and loved fishing the marshes of South Louisiana.

A man of impeccable integrity, humility and character; George made a significant contribution to our world during his lifetime. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and the many physicians and surgeons he educated.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 noon at the Church of Immaculate Conception at 130 Baronne Street in New Orleans on Saturday October 13th. Visitation begins at 11:00 AM. Please make any donations to St. Michael Special School, NOLA.

XXOO from all that adored him!