Was born in St. Petersburg, Florida March 25, 1927 to Kathryn and George A. Lyon Sr. He attended St. Petersburg High School where he played football and in 1944 transferred to Leesburg High for his senior year, where he earned his football letter playing tackle for the Leesburg Yellow Jackets. During one game, a member of the opposing team was heard to say "Who's supposed to block this guy? I almost gave him the ball". He also played trumpet in the band.
Following high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, during WWII, where he was assigned to a large hospital near Camp Perry, Virginia. During his time there, he was the only one to volunteer to serve in a ward of 21 men who had come down with spinal meningitis. He and one older nurse were the only two taking care of these men, along with the doctor. During the time he served on this ward, they did not lose a single man. After his discharge from the Navy, he decided that he wanted to go into a medical career and become a doctor. He completed two years of college, where as a lab assistant, he taught organic chemistry. He also took a class at Emory University.
George made arrangements to attend medical school in West Virginia where he had a job to help pay for his expenses. At this time, John L. Lewis staged his last big coal strike, and everything shut down. Businesses were closed and there were no jobs, so he was unable to pursue his education at this time. He moved to a location near Valdosta, Georgia, where he owned and operated a fishing and recreation camp, which he thoroughly enjoyed, until he became ill and his doctor advised him to go to a high, dry climate. His doctor had given him 6 months to live. He gave his boat to his doctor and drove a taxi in St. Petersburg to earn enough money to come to a location near Albuquerque, NM.
In the Manzano Mountains, he worked cutting timber for a nearby sawmill. He was doing well until he was hurt in an accident and sent to the V.A. hospital in Albuquerque. From there, he was transferred to the V.A. Hospital in Ft. Bayard. After his release from the hospital, he worked for Brigg's Appliance, was Assistant Manager for Foxworth Galbraith, obtained his G.B. Contractor's License and Journeyman's Plumbing License, and remodeled the C.Y.O. Hall, including the decorative rock work in front, moved the Newman Center building from Santa Rita to Silver City and remodeled it, remodeled St. Vincent's Church and many other projects.
George was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, Bill, Jack and Bobby Lyon all of Florida and good friends, Frank Miller, Eddie Laney, Chet Brown and Manuel Dominguez. He is survived by his wife, Burnetta of the home; his sister, Sue Johnson and sisters-in-law, Marcia Lyon and Sherry Lyon of Florida; sister-in-law, Carroll and brother-in-law, Ivan Johnston of Montana and many nieces and nephews. George always believed in helping others and did so as long as he was able. Even when he had very little, he found a way to help. He was cheerful, innovative, a hard worker, a good friend and husband and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 25 from 1-2pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the Funeral Service to begin at 2pm with Pastor Tyler Connoley officiating. Concluding service interment with full military honors will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.