Obituary for Jim Lyons

Jim Lawrence Lyons

(October 3, 1936 – July 15, 2016)

Jimmie Lyons passed away on Friday, July 15, 2016 in Ponca City. He was 79 years old.

Jimmie Laurence Lyons was born on October 3, 1936 to Charles Augusta Lyons and Eva Marie (Coleman) Lyons in Fairview, OK. He moved to Kaw City with his parents when he was a baby. He attended school in a one room school in Newkirk. Later, he met the love of his life. Jim and Patsy Lou Grimm were married on October 4, 1957. They made their first home in Ponca City when Jim was working for the Sanitation Department. When Jim began working in construction, they knew they would be moving around a lot. Jim and Pat lived in Pond Creek, Tulsa, Wagoner, OK, Brinkley, AR, and Elk City, OK. They moved back to Ponca City in 1967 and Jim began working for Brown and Root Construction and later, went to work for OG & E as a heavy equipment operator. He retired after 17 years.

In his spare time, Jim made trailers and enjoyed hunting and fishing. The first trailer he made was for Bill Leming. He also enjoyed watching WWE, Oklahoma Sooner Football, and OKC Thunder with his beloved little Chihuahua, Angel. Jim never liked sitting still, was a hard worker and took part in building the Kaw Dam. People would often come to him and ask for advice. He would tell them like it is, whether they liked it or not. He was an ornery man and loved to tease his grandkids. They would give him heck right back. He loved to make people laugh and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed coffee breaks at the Cornerstone Restaurant.

After he retired, his enjoyment was working on his blue Ford Tractor, brush hogging, rototilling gardens, post hole digging and box blading. In the spring of 2015, he had to hang up his spurs. It was the hardest thing for him to do. There is one thing for certain: His spurs will be golden. He will ride off on his precious blue Ford Tractor. His journey has come to an end. He went home to be reunited with his family. Rest and peace awaits him.

He is survived by his wife, Patty, two sons, Charles Lyons, Greg Lyons and Sandi, his precious grandkids, Christopher, MacKenzie and KaSandra, three sisters-in-law, Bobbi Lyons of Springfield, OR, Maurita Grimm of Ponca City, and Donna Bacher of Ponca City, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 5 sisters, Minnie Bell Pembrook, Ethel Mae Kaminski, Mattie Pembrook, Martha Rutherford, Molly Rugg and one brother, Orville Lavonn Lyons.

Jim will be available for viewing at Trout Funeral Home on Monday, July 18, 2016 until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hope Chapel in Oddfellows Cemetery of Ponca City.

Memorial contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125.

Source: Trout Funeral Home