Read Thomas Rex Lyon's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Thomas Rex Lyon

Crestline, CA

May 3, 1965 - December 1, 2018

May 3, 1965 - Dec 1, 2018

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Tom Lyon died of congestive heart failure on December 1, 2018 in San Bernardino, California. He was born in Los Angeles, California on May 3, 1965, the first of five children to Thomas E. (“Ted”) and Cheryl Larsen Lyon. Tom grew up in California, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Provo, Utah, where he graduated from Timpview High School. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dublin, Ireland from 1987-1989. Tom married Cherstin Marie Nelson in 1990 in the Portland, Oregon LDS temple. They were married for 28 years until their separation in 2018. Together they had two children, whom he loved dearly, and of whom he was very proud.
He graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in geography. In the last year of his life he found great joy as a popular substitute teacher for Rim of the World and San Bernardino School Districts. Previously he had worked in Crestline as a handyman and had also worked for Home Depot. Tom was passionate about the outdoors and loved living “on the mountain” above San Bernardino. In wooded areas there he singlehandedly created and maintained mountain trails for his own enjoyment and that of others. He also thrilled to the beauties of Southern Utah, especially on the family’s 80 acres of primitive forest, affectionately called “Lyon Mountain.” Among his hobbies and interests was a desire to find and measure the oldest and largest trees in any given area. He was fascinated by the weather and kept meticulous rainfall records; he became an excellent cook and loved to make unique breads; he taught himself auto mechanics; he built and repaired computers. He was a kind and helpful neighbor in his close-knit community. Tom is remembered by his siblings with deep affection. They recall his pet names for each of them, his incessant teasing and pranks, but above all his protective and loving nature as their big brother.
He is survived by his partner, Joanne Daigle Mitchell (Crestline, CA); his children, Forrest Hale Lyon and Savannah Marie Lyon (Crestline, CA); his parents of Provo, UT; his siblings, Ann Marie and Curt Gosnell (Silt, CO), Jennifer and Willis Knapp (Provo, UT), Greg and Rachael Lyon (Raleigh, NC), and Peter Lyon (Provo, UT), along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service took place in Crestline on Dec. 22. A second memorial will be held on Dec. 29, at the Edgemont South Stake Center, 2950 North Canyon Road, Provo, UT at 11:00 a.m. No flowers please, just plant a tree in a favorite spot - or go sit under one!

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