Gerald "jerry" Gene Lyon

Gerald “Jerry” Gene Lyon, 67, went from his earthly home in Rogue River to his Eternal Home on February 28, 2008, in the loving care of his devoted wife and their children. He had fought a courageous year-long battle against cancer. Gerald was born in Texas, raised in and attended schools in Colton, CA. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corp., planning to make it a career. Gerald suffered a spinal cord injury and was permanently disabled while on active duty in 1961. A son, Jerry G. Lyon, was born in 1960. In 1966 he met and married Margaret “Margo” Marshall. The couple lived in Long Beach CA, and Scottsdale, AZ. before moving to Rogue River in 1977 with their three children. From 1966 to 1980, when he “retired to become a stay-at-home dad,” he worked as a fire dispatcher, electronic technician and a computer programmer. The couple owned and operated Lyon Stationery & Supply in Rogue River. He donated years to volunteer work: Rogue River city councilman and police commissioner; computer programming teacher and basketball coach at Christian Life School, over 14 years serving on Little League and Babe Ruth boards, and school board member at Cascade Christian High School. His hobbies included wheelchair basketball (Long Beach Flying Wheels) and league bowling, camping and traveling. His favorite hobby was riding--for over 20 years--on the sand dunes of Oregon, California and Idaho with his family and a large group of friends. He was a lifetime member of Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars and a licensed amateur radio operator. He was a member of Rogue River Assembly of God for 30 years and was known as "Captain Graphite" to dozens of boys (Royal Rangers) for helping them build pinewood derby cars that competed all over Oregon. He is survived by his wife Margo and their children Danielle M. Lyon Carson and Todd M. Lyon, and Todd’s daughter Gisselle M. Lyon; son Jerry G. Lyon and his children Randy and Tiffany Lyon; and his brother Dr. Billy R. Lyon, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Richard F. Allen and F. Leroy Lyon, and his son Eric H. Lyon. Gerald was known as a kind and generous man who was never too busy to talk to or help others. Although often in pain he never complained. The family will be forever indebted to the staff of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at VA Palo Alto Health Care System for their care and dedication to Gerald during more than 27 years of outpatient and inpatient care. There will be a community potluck and Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 26, at 3 PM, at Rogue River Assembly of God. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to www.fisherhouse.org. or to www.pva.org.