Gerald Richard Lyons, age 82 of Ferris, Texas passed away October 3, 2021. He was born July 1, 1939 in Norwood, Massachusetts to the late Joseph and Aquilla (Samson) Lyons. Growing up in Massachusetts, he attended school there; playing football, hockey and rugby. He was an active member of the ROTC and served as an alter boy in the local Parish. He attended Lowell Tech and served in the United States Marine Corp Reserve until 1965, after which he met and married Judith Abruzese in 1969. Their union was blessed with two children. Mr. Lyons worked as a regional manager for 7-11, which brought the family to Texas, then for Western Auto in Lawton, Oklahoma where he fell in love with the Wichita Mountains. He was his kid's hockey coach in the 80's, and always encouraged Leslie to be a figure skater but she too fell in love with hockey and Randy still plays to this day. He also served as Randy's troop master in Webelos and Cub Scouts. Gerald was a NASCAR super fan; he loved watching it on TV and live at the races. Among several destinations he visited were Daytona, the Poconos, Talladega, Georgia and others. He had a huge collection of die-cast NASCAR models and many other types of memorabilia. He had an entire room of pictures autographed by NASCAR drivers, T-shirts, a tire and even a mini car hood. His pride and joy was his 1986 red IROC-Z Camaro, which he bought brand new and cared for meticulously. He loved his granddaughters dearly. He enjoyed playing with them as small children and as they got older he enjoyed their frequent antics at the dinner table. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and aunt Lillian Samson.
He is survived by son Randy Lyons of Mansfield, Texas; daughter Leslie and husband Eddie Wiechman of Ferris, granddaughters Kayla and Sarah of Ferris; sisters: Nancyellen and husband Bob Lindsay of Mansfield, Massachusetts and Kathleen Lyons of Toronto, Canada.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Green Funeral Home, Ferris Texas.
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