Larry Ben Lyon

Larry Ben Lyon, LT Col USAF (Ret.), 78 passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 14, 2016 in his home in Lake Mary, Florida surrounded by his loving family. It was the special love for his family, friends and faith in Christ that gave Larry the strength, optimism and humor to battle Lewy Body Dementia. Larry was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 21, 1938. He was the first of three sons born to Paul B. and Martha Galt Lyon. After an eight year taste of ‘city life’ in Oklahoma City, Larry moved to the farm and cotton gins of Geary, OK. Larry was a proud graduate of Geary High School, Class of 1956. Larry was All Conference in football and basketball and in the mind of his fellow students he was ‘all world’ as a musician. On rainy days, Larry would entertain his classmates playing the ‘Boogie Woogie’ on the piano in the gym. Larry earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Oklahoma State University. During his time in college, he worked and played his way through college as the piano player for ‘The Shadow Lake Eight’ Band. Larry and the band members were honored with the induction into the prestigious Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2013. After graduating, Larry happily began his Air Force Career at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, TX. There, with his former wife, Darlene, his daughter Debbie was born. Their next stop was Boston, MA, where son Doug joined the Air Force family. During their time in Boston, Larry earned his Masters Degree in Counseling from Suffolk University. Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL was the next assignment and the first of three at Maxwell AFB. Tours in Germany, Thailand, and Las Cruces, NM provided excellent experience for Larry and new adventures for the family. His assignment as Professor of Air Science at New Mexico State may have given him the background and desire to instill in young people the importance of dedication, perseverance, excellence and patriotism. Shortly after his Air Force retirement, Larry accepted a position in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) at Lake Worth High School in Lake Worth, FL where he met his current wife of 25 years, Betsy, a teacher and guidance counselor. This AFJROTC position gave him yet another opportunity to mold the minds of young men and women. His success in this environment led to his selection in 2003 as the winner of the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education. Along with this esteemed award, the city of Lake Worth proclaimed May 6, 2003 Larry Lyon Day. With his participation in the AFJROTC program, Lake Worth High School became the second largest program in the world, achieving multiple national honors in Drill Team competitions, the acceptance of innumerable graduates to military service academies, and awarded millions of dollars in college scholarships. Letters and social media posts from former students attest to his impact and provide the crown for his career. Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Betsy Lyon and four children; Debbie Lyon Dupre and her husband Dr. Allen Dupre of Montgomery, AL, Doug Lyon and his wife Tammy of Montgomery, AL, Emily Ann Painter of Sanford, FL, and Katie Painter Welch and her husband Robert Welch III of Lake Mary, FL. He loved his ten grandchildren; Kelly Michelle, Allison, Sara, Michael, Lauren, Jordan, Katie, Randy, Dean, Lane and three great-grandchildren, Eliza, Harper and Sawyer. He is also loved by his two younger brothers, Col. (Ret) Don A. Lyon and his wife Martha, and Phil B. Lyon and his wife Judee, and their families. Preceded in death by his grandson Ryne Odom. Larry was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and brother, who enjoyed serving his country for 28 years and continued his service 14 years beyond active duty. Among his many gifts, his sense of humor was one that could make anyone laugh and one that will continue to make us smile. We are also sure he is fully involved in God’s choir and we look forward to hearing him play again. One short sideline: Sometimes when Larry was home from college he would be asked to play for Sunday Services at the First Baptist Church of Geary. On one occasion the Choir Director selected ‘We’re Marching to Zion’. After one verse at a very slow tempo, Larry stopped and informed the congregation that ‘at this pace we will never reach Zion’ and proceeded to pick up the pace considerably! In lieu of flowers, a contribution to scholarships for students or to your favorite charity would be appreciated. Lake Worth High School Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 1166, Lake Worth, FL 33460. Larry will be buried at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, receiving full Military Honors. Please go to http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Larry-Lyon&lc=9830&pid=181086629&uuid=4b32f8bc-6718-41e0-8c67-1287c9625d43 for additional service details.