James Duke "Jimmy" Lyons

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
Texas, Jefferson County, JP 1, Beaumont
Enumerated April 30, 1940
SD 42-2 ED 123-57A Sheet 39B
Ironton Street
913-R-25
Lyons, Jimmie Head M W 38 M No H-4 Tx Same House Merchant Retail Clothing
Lyons, Ima Wf W F 34 M No C-4 Tx Same House Teacher County School

James married Ima Mason before 1940. Ima (daughter of William Crockett Mason and Josephine Deas) was born on 13 Jan 1906 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 14 Nov 1995 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; was buried in San Augustine City Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Colonel James Duke Lyons Jr. (Retired) passed away on Oct. 30, 2022. He was born to James Duke Lyons and Ima Mason Lyons on October 13, 1940.

He married Roberta Louis (Womble) Lyons in 1961 and they made a home and life together wherever the USAF took them. Together in retirement they made their home in San Augustine in Duke's family home, the Mason Farm, before he moved to Houston in 2021. Together they raised 2 children, Kimberly Lyons-Barry (John Barry), James Gregory Lyons (Allison Green Lyons). He was known as Big Daddy to his surviving 4 grandchildren Samantha Louise Barry (Ryan Dermek), Matthew James Barry, Sarah Kate Lyons and Jacob Abner Lyons.

Colonel James Duke graduated from French High School, Beaumont, Texas in 1959 and received a degree from Texas Tech University in 1964.

Colonel James Duke worked at United States Air Force until he retired in 1993 and was
passionate about affecting the most positive change in people.

He served his country with dignity and honor. He held several prestigious posts during his
decorated career with the air force. He was the Detachment Commander at Supreme
Headquarters Allied Power Europe, CBPO Chief Patch Barracks Stuttgart Germany, The
Pentagon Office of the Secretary of Defense, Director of Assignments and 3rd Space Support Wing Vice Wing Commander at Peterson AFB, Chief of Assignments at Randolph AFB AFMPC. He was respected and loved by his armed forces family as he dedicated his life and passion to the Air Force for nearly 30 years.

Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1993 he moved to Houston Texas and began a new career at MD Anderson in the personnel department. He was able to apply his enormous skill set in diplomacy and policy to the work he did for the hospital. His final career move was a position that brought him enormous pleasure. He moved back to his family home in San Augustine, Texas and became the city manager, a role he loved and was extremely passionate about. He enjoyed being involved in the community and making San Augustine a beautiful town to live. He gave of himself tirelessly to improve the standard of living and infrastructure and this was reflected in every project he undertook for the City of San Augustine. He was also a committee member in the development of the El Camino.

In addition to his professional and person achievements his greatest pleasure was his family outside of golf and the Astros. He coached T-Ball, soccer and was a scout leader. He was proud of the lives his two children have built for themselves, Kimberly in Australia and Greg in Houston. He recently travelled to Melbourne Australia to witness his first grandchild getting married. It was a joyous and happy occasion.

Please Join us to celebrate the life of Duke Lyons on the 17 November 2022 4:30-6:30 at
Heights Ironworks, 201 W 15th St, Houston, Texas.

Courtesy of Anne Ussery

Family/Spouse: Roberta Louise Womble. Roberta was born on 22 Oct 1940 in Stinnett, Hutchinson County, Texas; died on 1 Jan 2020 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]