Thomas C. Lyon was born to Grace Johnson Lyon and Eugene Jennings Lyon on May 10, 1943, in Stockport, Iowa. He passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at his home in Goodland, Kansas, with family by his side. He was 77 years old.
Tom attended Stockport Public School through fourth grade and transferred to Eldon Public School when the family relocated to Eldon, Iowa. He graduated from Cardinal High School class of 1960.
He was united in marriage to Judith Ann Greenland September 16, 1961, in Eldon, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children, Dana, Thomas John and Cara.
Tom was a Salesman, Sales manager, General Manager, Marketing Manager and Regional Manager for various Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distributors for 44 years. He retired in 2008 as the Regional Manager, Stores Group for CarQuest Automotive Parts. Tom was known and respected by his peers throughout the industry.
Tom and Judy relocated to Goodland, Kansas, following his retirement to be near their grandchildren.
Tom enjoyed keeping busy. During his retirement, he worked for the 2010 Census and he worked part time at Hitchcock Inc. of Goodland. His favorite “retirement job,” though, was when he was picking up and delivering cars for Finley Motors and, more recently, Herl Chevrolet. When he received a call to retrieve a car from across the state or across the country, he was ready and anxious to complete the assignment!
Tom was a member of Kiwanis and Lions Club, where he was named “Lion of the Year,” in 2012. He was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church.
Tom loved to explore the United States. He and Judy enjoyed traveling through Texas and Colorado with their beloved little dog, Muffin, in their fifth wheel trailer.
Tom is survived by Judy, his wife of nearly 60 years, daughters Dana (Bill) Fulcher of Goodland, Kansas, Cara (Andy) Ferguson of Middletown, Iowa, Grandson Brendan (Amber) Fulcher of Bellevue, Nebraska, Granddaughter Elizabeth Fulcher of Wichita, Kansas, a brother Howard (Kay) Lyon of Fairfield, Iowa, two nieces and several grandnieces and a grandnephew. He was preceded in death by his son PR3 Thomas John Lyon USN and his parents, Father-in law Lloyd Greenland, Mother-in-law Delphia Greenland and a Brother-in-law John Greenland.
Tom will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made during his lifetime.
As per his wishes his body has been cremated and will be memorialized In the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, Iowa, with inurnment at a later date.
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021, at 10:30 AM MT with Pastor Doug Amend officiating. Mask’s will be required at the service.
Memorial contributions may be made designated to the Colon Cancer Alliance or to the Northwest Kansas Animal Shelter and may be left at the services or mailed to Koon-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.