Robert was born on January 10, 1923 in Keaton, Kentucky to Sanford and Margret (Ferguson) Lyon. Soon after his birth, his family moved from their rural farm to Louisa, KY and Robert enjoyed a wonderful small town upbringing with four siblings. After graduating high school, Robert attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington. When Robert’s friends began being drafted for World War II, Robert left the university for a time and returned to Louisa to enlist in the Army along side his hometown friends. Once in the army, he realized his beautiful young sweetheart, Doris June Justice, absolutely had to be his wife and returned home as quickly as possible on military leave to marry her in the spring of 1943. Robert would not only serve his country honorably in World War II in the 1940’s but also in the 1950’s in The Korean Conflict.
Robert is survived by the love of his life and bride of 75 years, June Justice Lyon, and his sister, Kathleen Lyon Ball of San Diego. He is also survived by daughter Marsha Dale Lyon Maroth, grandson Charles Sylvester (Sandra) Wrye Jr, great grandson Christopher Ashley (Megan) Wrye, and grandson, Richard Allen (Erin) Wrye and great grandchildren Morgan Amanda Wrye, and Colin Charles Wrye. Additionally, he is survived by daughter Rosanna Lyon (Stephen) Cahill, granddaughter Shannon Cahill (Justin) Basso, and great grandchildren Evelyn Rose Basso, William Stephen Basso, and Olivia Ruth Basso, and grandson Chad Stephen (Bridgette) Cahill and great grandchildren Colton Marshall Cahill and Stephen Fletcher Cahill.
Robert and June left Kentucky in 1950 to make their home in Orlando, Florida and Robert began working in the citrus industry for the FMC Corporation. On the weekends, Robert enjoyed playing golf as a founding member of Rio Pinar Country Club and faithfully serving for 60 plus years in their neighborhood church, Reeves Memorial Methodist. During his retirement years, Robert and June spent many months of the year at their cabin on Groundhog Mountain in Virginia, enjoying friends and family and attending Bluemont Presbyterian Church, one of the historic stone churches of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Robert loved his family dearly and treasured time with June and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They returned his love a hundred fold with many hugs and words of love especially as he finished out his last days on earth.
The hope and promise of eternity is open to all who love the Lord and his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. We will greatly miss Robert, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We rest in the knowledge he now abides in Heaven. To God be the Glory.
A Celebration of Life service for Robert will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018, at 11am in the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando Reformation Chapel. 106 East Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bluemont Presbyterian Church, 2406 Excelsior School Road, Laurel Fork, Virginia 24352.
