John Stanley Lyon

John Stanley Lyon

Age 83

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, passed away on August 15, 2024, in Oakdale, Minnesota. He was born on November 3, 1940, in LeHarpe, Illinois, to his loving parents Richard and Ruth Lyon.

During his time at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, he met the love of his life, Virginia Hubert when they crossed paths in a clarinet class. Together, they dedicated four years of their lives to serving in the Peace Corps in Liberia, teaching in a village school, afterwards traveling extensively around Africa and Europe.

John loved music and earned a master's degree in music from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. Although classically trained, he loved jazz the most. John was also an avid amateur radio operator from the age of 14; he kept his first call sign, W9LHG (Left-Handed Gorilla) his entire life. John was passionate about lake ecology and spearheaded owner-lead scientific research projects as the President of the Butternut-Franklin Lake Association.

In remembrance of John Stanley Lyon are his children Felicia (Daniel) Kohlberg, Martinique (Colin) Hartwig; Nicolet (Marc Cooley) Lyon; grandchildren Hollyann, Madeline, Abigail, Eleanor, Cecilia, Jamison, Eirre; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who were touched by her care and kindness.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lyon; parents, Richard and Ruth; and brother, David.

Private family burial.