James A. Lyon

March 12, 1928 - November 30, 2020

James "Grumps" A. Lyon, age 92, passed away, Monday, November 30, 2020. James was born in Reed, OK to Roy and Isabel Lyon, the third of four children. He joined the Navy immediately after high school where he served in the Pacific until losing an eye in an accident aboard ship. Despite that injury, James went on to become a skilled mechanic for International Harvester which led him to the job he was passionate about until retirement: business rep for the AFL-CIO. After he left the Navy, he went on the graduate from Oklahoma State University when it was Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College in Stillwater. He played basketball for one year at Oklahoma State, though he did not make varsity or first team. James was a loving father and a doting grandfather. He was passionate about politics and charitable giving, loved watching football, especially his OSU Cowboys. Due to his varied life experiences, he was a great mentor and teacher, from teaching his kids how to maintain their cars to teaching his son-in-law the proper way to drive rebar into a railroad tie. He was compassionate and giving, opening his home to many young people who needed a safe haven. He was knowledgeable in many areas and always had an anecdote for every problem. James was the caretaker and never wanted anyone to fuss over him. James is survived by his three children, Gary, Ron, and Sherri, his five grandchildren, Timothy, Sarah, Rachael, Kalli, and Orion, and his brother, Gene. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the ACLU.